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Needing a little New Orleans in your life? Who knew you could find it in Orlando, Florida! Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter is one half of the Port Orleans resort, but all the fun of Mardi Gras. You can take a stroll down cobblestone streets and enjoy the jazz-themed decor. You might even find some amazing beignets as a special treat! Our Port Orleans French Quarter review explores all the reasons why this should be your next resort stay at Walt Disney World!

Loving the Theme at Port Orleans French Quarter

Port Orleans French Quarter is one of the best themed resorts at Walt Disney World. You really see the theme throughout the resort, but particularly in the way Disney has designed the lobby, streets, iron working on the buildings, and the courtyards throughout the resort.

Port Orleans French Quarter Lobby

The theme first hits you when you enter the lobby of Port Orleans French Quarter. You are greeted by Mardi Gras masks, iconic jesters, and other reminders of New Orleans’ French Quarter. The main lobby is decorated with Mardi Gras Masks and a lovely fountain. The sundries shop is named Jackson Square, after the central square in New Orlean’s French Quarter.

The Beauty of Ironwork in the Port Orleans French Quarter Buildings

The buildings are three story homages to the French Quarter, complete with ironwork balconies that can make you feel just like you are in the very center of New Orleans. They also use the fun colors of Mardi Gras to further draw you into the theme. As the smallest Moderate resort, you really feel the intimacy and romance of the French Quarter walking down the streets with lamp posts and mock-cobblestones.

Port Orleans French Quarter is one of the most romantic resorts at Walt Disney World. The small size, coupled with the iron work and theming make it a perfect destination for a couples trip. You can even celebrate your love with custom Princess and the Frog Shirts!

Relax in the Port Orleans French Quarter Courtyards

You will find multiple courtyards throughout the resort. Most are equipped with fountains, reminiscent of the French Quarter. You will also fine statues paying homage to the Princess and the Frog, a theme that can be found throughout the resort and even in some of the theming in the rooms. These are excellent places to enjoy a quiet night, which is really a beauty of this resort. The small size and the theming make it seem like you are world away from the typical hustle and bustle of the Disney World Parks.

If you want to go all-out with the Princess and the Frog theme, you can find tons of great options for celebrating Tiana and her friends. They sell some fun souvenirs at Jackson Square in the lobby, but you can load up before your trip too. The Tiana bag line from Danielle Nicole is one of the most fun ways to sport your love of this princess. Make sure you also know what to pack in your Park bag for maximum fun!

Port Orleans French Quarter Location and Transportation

Port Orleans French Quarter is officially a Disney Springs area hotel, but it’s actually located really close to Epcot as well. It’s the most conveniently located of the Moderate Resorts with the shortest overall commute to the Walt Disney World parks.

It forms one half of the Port Orleans Resorts, with Port Orleans Riverside taking up more space to the north of French Quarter.

Due to its smaller size, Port Orleans French Quarter only has a single bus stop near the front lobby. The bus station is split into two separate sections: Animal Kingdom/Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom/Epcot. Transit times are the best overall for any of the Moderate Resorts. Even though it is technically a Disney Springs Resort, the transit time to Epcot is actually the shortest which makes it a great option if you love the World Showcase!

Transit Times from Port Orleans French Quarter to Disney Parks

Magic Kingdom – 15 minutes

Epcot – 10-15 minutes

Hollywood Studios – 20 minutes

Animal Kingdom – 25 minutes

Disney Springs – 20 minutes

One of the great transportation perks at Port Orleans French quarter is the boat to Disney Springs. Most of the Moderate Resorts, and even some Deluxe, only have bus transportation. Having the option to take a relaxing boat ride is a nice perk of French Quarter.

You can hop a boat to Port Orleans Riverside and Disney Springs from Port Orleans French Quarter.

Rooms

The rooms are really a star here at Port Orleans French Quarter. The laminate floors are one of the items that strikes you as soon as you enter the rooms. This is an upgrade that you can rarely get even at some of the Deluxe Resorts, and it really makes the rooms feel fresh, clean and updated.

The Port Orleans French Quarter rooms all come with two queen beds. This is a drawback for those that enjoy the extra pull-down 5th bed of some the Moderate Resorts. While it does limit the family size to four, the beds are very comfortable and the high placement off the ground makes it super easy to store items and keep the floor space clear for a nice, open feeling to the room.

Similar to the bedroom area, the bathroom has a very updated feel. You’ll enjoy a double vanity as well as some fun Princess and the Frog theming on the shower curtain!

Port Orleans French Quarter Pool and Recreation

Pool

The Doubloon Lagoon pool at Port Orleans French Quarter comes with all of the amenities. You will find both a kids’ water play area as well as pool, complete with water slide. The way to the slide is paved with an alligator Jazz Band while the water slide has King Neptune atop “Scales,” the gian sea serpent. The slide is a fun 51 feet long so you can get a pretty great splash at the end. Like other Disney pools, you can also find life jackets nearby the pool for little ones.

Kids Water Play Area and Playground

If you are traveling with younger kids, you can take advantage of some additional amenities in the pool area. The jazz-loving alligator band leads you to the pool and a nice playground for younger kids. It doesn’t have a lot of thrills for older children, but toddlers would have a fun time. Another fun activity for kids under 48″ tall is the Doubloon Lagoon Water Play area. The water play area has smaller slides, and the kids will love running from the giant water wheel when it’s time to dump water all over the area!

Other Activities at Port Orleans French Quarter

There are several other activities you can enjoy at Port Orleans French Quarter. Like it’s sister resort, Port Orleans Riverside, you can take a horse carriage ride around the resort. There is also a video game arcade to spend some time, but Port Orleans French Quarter boasts two very special events that you can’t find at other resorts:

Sunday Beignet Fun Run – On most Sundays, you can sign up for a fun run of 1.5 miles around the resort. When you finish, you get a medal and a beignet (which is more than enough of a prize for me!!). It costs $15 to complete the fun run, and you can register ahead of time or when you show up at 7:30am for the run.

Painting on de’ Bayou – On Wednesday’s in the Scat Cat’s Club, you can paint a Disney-inspired painting lead by an instructor at Port Orleans French Quarter. You can register up to 180 days in advance, and it cost $35. It’s a really fun event and a great way to spend a non-Park night with a cool souvenir from your time at Disney World.

Port Orleans French Quarter Dining

One of the big differences between Port Orleans French Quarter and other Moderate Resorts is that it doesn’t not have a Table Service Restaurant. All other Moderate Resorts have at least one, but Port Orleans French Quarter actually shares its Table Service option, the Boatwright’s Dining Hall, with its sister resort, Port Orleans Riverside.

What it lacks in Table Service, it makes up in some delicious Quick Service snacks. Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory is the counter-service option at Port Orleans French Quarter. It is similar to other resort Quick Service options in that it has five different windows offering everything from burgers at the Grill Shop to barbecue ribs at the Carving Shop. Port Orleans French Quarter also has an area dedicated to its French Quarter roots, serving up gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and a shrimp po’boy.

Sweet Treats at Sassagoula Floatworks

What we all come to Sassagoula Floatworks has very little to do with dinner though. The star here is the bakery and the beignets! If you’ve watched the Princess and the Frog recently, you have a hanging for some of Tiana’s amazing beignets and they even come shaped like Mickey here! You can watch them be made fresh-to-order, and they actually qualify as a snack on the dining plan. If the beignets aren’t your think, you can also enjoy a mini-king’s cake or new Orleans inspired cupcake.

Port Orleans French Quarter Review Summary

Port Orleans French Quarter may be the perfect resort for your next Disney World trip!

The Best Reasons to Book Port Orleans French Quarter

New Orleans Mardi Gras Theme – If you are in love with New Orleans, then you don’t need to look any further! Port Orleans French Quarter does theme better than almost any other Disney resort. Strolling down the quaint roads amongst iron balconies is enough to bring anyone back to New Orleans.

Great Things Come in Small Packages – The small size of the resort makes it extremely walkable and a nice respite from the potentially crowded parks. It’s also the best Moderate resort for a romantic getaway. The wonderful theming, combined with the smaller resort make it feel intimate and the perfect romantic getaway.

Fun Time for the Kiddos – Port Orleans French Quarter has lots of amenities for the kids, including a pool with a waterslide, fun water play area, and a playground. If you are traveling with smaller children, then you will likely find the amenities just the right size.

Beignets are EVERYTHING – If you are as obsessed with this treat as I am, then it might be worth the stay just for the delicious treats!

Reasons You May Pick a Different Resort from Port Orleans French Quarter

You have a Party of 5: Port Orleans French Quarter rooms can only accommodate four people. They do not have an option for a 5th pull down bed like many other Moderate Resorts.

Table Service Is a Must: If you have to have a Table Service restaurant at your resort, then Port Orleans French Quarter is likely not your best bet. It only has an on-property Quick Service Restaurant, although the beignets might be enough to sway you!

You need Disney-theme everywhere! – If you are looking for a super-themed room, other moderates might be a better pick. While the Port Orleans French Quarter rooms are about as classy as they come, Port Orleans Riverside sports the Royal Guest Rooms that are themed with Disney Princesses. Caribbean Beach even have Pirate-themed rooms that let you sleep in a Pirate ship.

]]>http://momentmom.com/MM/port-orleans-french-quarter-review/feed/23313Hollywood Studios FastPass : The Ultimate Guidehttp://momentmom.com/MM/hollywood-studios-fastpass/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hollywood-studios-fastpass
http://momentmom.com/MM/hollywood-studios-fastpass/#respondSun, 30 Dec 2018 22:20:02 +0000http://momentmom.com/MM/?p=3262You can be a star at Hollywood Studios, especially if you have the best Hollywood Studios fastpass! Hollywood Studios boasts some of the most diverse fastpasses, from amazing shows that bring you into the...

]]>You can be a star at Hollywood Studios, especially if you have the best Hollywood Studios fastpass! Hollywood Studios boasts some of the most diverse fastpasses, from amazing shows that bring you into the movies to thrilling rides like the only roller coaster that goes upside down at Walt Disney World. It’s also a park that is undergoing tremendous amounts of change, with new rides coming online almost every year. Understanding the fastpass+ selections at Hollywood Studios can help you make the most out of your next trip.

Hollywood Studios Fastpass Rides and Attractions

You can’t go to Hollywood Studios without a ride on the Hollywood Tower of Terror!

Fastpasses at Hollywood Studios come in similar categories to the other Walt Disney World parks. It’s a common misconception that Hollywood Studios is only a 1/2 day park. If you time your fast passes right, you can easily spend an entire fun day at Hollywood Studios:

Fast Rides / Motion Rides

Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Slinky Dog Dash

Experiences / Non-Rides

Muppet Vision 3D

Fantasmic!

Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage

Disney Junior Dance Party!

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Indiana Jones(TM) Epic Stunt Spectacular

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Small Drops

Star Tours – The Adventure Continues

Spinning Rides

Alien Swirling Saucers

Interactive

Toy Story Mania!

Hollywood Studios FastPass Tiers

Get ready to GO!! on Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land.

Hollywood Studios has seen a lot of change in their FastPass tiers and with Galaxy’s Edge, the new Star Wars land set to open in 2019, there will probably be even more to come. Similar to Animal Kingdom fastpass tiers, there are two tiers at Hollywood Studios that focus on the newest addition to the park: Toy Story Land and Non-Toy Story Land. You can only schedule one of the three rides in Toy Story Land: Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania!, or Alien Swirling Saucers. You can schedule two selections from any of the other available fast passes. You also have the option to skip Toy Story Land fast passes altogether and schedule three fast passes from the lower tier.

Slinky Dog Dash is by far the most popular ride Hollywood Studios and in Toy Story Land now. If you meet the height requirements, this is definitely the ride you should pick from the top tier. You can easily get a short wait for Toy Story Mania if you head there early in the day, and we have ridden the Alien Swirling Saucers with no more than a 15 minute late in the evening.

The Best Hollywood Studios FastPasses

Whether you want to spend a day with the best seats in the house for each show or want a day of thrills, you can come up with the perfect Hollywood Studios fastpass strategy.

First Time Visit FastPasses to Hollywood Studios

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a must do for your first trip to Walt Disney World

Hollywood Studios has undergone lots of change in the past few years, but there are a few classics that remain as must-dos for your first trip. As the only roller coaster that goes upside down at Walt Disney World, Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster must be on your list for your first-time fastpass. It’s unique experience as an electromagnetic rollercoaster gives it an amazing take-off experience rocketing you from 0- to 57 mph in only 2.8 seconds. You can experience up to 5 Gs during the three inversions as you race to Aerosmith’s concert.

Another classic thrill ride at Hollywood Studios worthy of your fastpass is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It’s quintessential old Hollywood theming helps it fit right into Hollywood Studios.

Finally, the night time jewel of Hollywood Studios is the Fantasmic! show. It takes you through years of your favorite Disney Movies and just about every character you would want to see. It’s one of the best shows at Disney World.

Hollywood Studios Thrilling FastPasses

By now you probably know that Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster tops the thrilling experiences list at Hollywood Studios. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a close second. One of the best things about this ride is that it is different every time. The ride has a series of randomized drops so that you can get a different experience if you choose to ride more than once. It is the second tallest attraction at Disney World, second to Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom.

The final addition to your thrilling fastpass adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios should be Slinky Dog Dash. You will find it’s a tamed-down version of Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster, but still a fun time through Toy Story Land!

Fastpasses for Toddlers at Hollywood Studios

Your toddler will love taking a ride with the Aliens in their swirling saucers!

Toddlers have a lot of options for fun shows at Hollywood Studios. For your Toy Story Land tier pick, the Alien Swirling Saucers are definitely the way to go with toddlers. This fun ride may remind you of the teacups at Magic Kingdom, but it has an extra swing added to the spinning action. You hop in the back of a saucer and swing around the track with the aliens driving the way.

Opening on December 22, 2018, you can also enjoy the Disney Junior Dance Party! A fastpass might not be necessary to get into this party, but it will score preferred seating for your little one. They can dance the morning/afternoon/evening away with their favorite Disney Junior characters. With toddlers, the character experiences are often the most magical and this gives you a chance to hang out with even more!

Finally, Fanstasmic! is a great way to round out your day at Hollywood Studios. The light show and characters are sure to make your toddler’s evening. It’s even a little magical for us adults!

Adults Only at Hollywood Studios

It may sound repetitive, but Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is the top pick for Disney adults as well. For your Toy Story Land tier, Toy Story Mania! will bring out your competitive side. Even with kids, you might find the adults in your group vying for the top score. Finally, Tower of Terror rounds out a fun adult day at Hollywood Studios.

Get the Best Seat in the House at Hollywood Studios

Having the best view for Fantasmic is sure to be a great bet for your FastPass at Hollywood Studios.

Hollywood Studios lives up to its name with some amazing shows! The perk for a fastpass+ to a show is that you get guaranteed seating with a great view. You can usually snag a good seat without a fastpass as well if you arrive early. The best shows at Hollywood Studios, deserving of a FastPass+, are the live-action Beauty and the Beast, Inidana Jones(TM) Epic Stunt Spectacular, and Fantasmic! Beauty and the Beast brings all of your favorite moments and songs to life on stage, and a fastpass gets you the best center view. The Indiana Jones show has adventure and comedy, sure to delight everyone!

Wasted FastPasses in Hollywood Studios

All of the true rides at Hollywood Studios end up with a little bit of a wait throughout the day as there are fewer rides in this park than others. There are still quite a few non-rides at Hollywood Studios that rarely require a fastpass and can actually be a great way to spend time in between your fast passes:

Experiences / Non-Rides

Muppet Vision 3D

Fantasmic!

Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage

Disney Junior Dance Party!

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Indiana Jones(TM) Epic Stunt Spectacular

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

How to Schedule Your Hollywood Studios FastPass

Now that you know what you want, you need to actually schedule it! You can schedule your FastPass from either the MyDisneyExperience App or vía the Walt Disney World website. You can find full instructions hereon the mechanics of booking, and there are some tips to pick the best dates/times:

Check Your Park Hours

Make sure you double check park hours. If you are staying on-property, you might have access to Extra Magic Hours. This means you could get in early or stay late in a park after regular guests leave. These are excellent times to try to snag another popular ride. For example, since the Toy Storyland rides are all in the same tier, you can’t preschedule a FastPass for more than one in a day. If you get in to Extra Magic Hours, however, the line for Toy Story Mania and the Alien Swirling Saucers goes down considerably and you could probably still ride with minimal wait.

If you AREN’T staying on property, you should also pay attention to Extra Magic Hours. While everyone on property might stay late at a park on night, you can snag much shorter lines the next day since most on-property guests won’t revisit the same park two days in a row.

Pick the Best Times and Schedule More Fastpasses

Use everyFastPass secret in our guide to snag the best times. You’ll want to have times during peak hours for your first 3 fastpasses (10a-4p in most parks) and use them as quickly as possible so you can begin scheduling additional FP+ selections one at a time. At Hollywood Studios, you have a good chance at getting the following same-day reservations:

Probably a Sure Thing

Muppet Vision 3D

Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage

Disney Junior Dance Party!

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Indiana Jones(TM) Epic Stunt Spectacular

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

During non-Peak Days:

Star Tours

Don’t Let Your Phone Die at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World FastPass+ Pro-tip : The ones you are most likely to snag same-day are listed below, but in order to book them, you can’t let your phone die! The MyDisneyEpxerience app is a renowned batter-draining app, so we always recommend taking an external battery pack with you so your phone doesn’t die right when you are ready to schedule that next fastpass. The best one we have found is the Anker Power Core 1300. It has 2 USB charger ports and can charge an iPhone up to 4 times on a single charge of itself. It’s worth the price.

Fun without a FastPass at Hollywood Studios

One of the best things about Hollywood Studios are the roaming characters! You will find Storm Troopers, aspiring “Actors” and all other kinds of character experiences throughout the park.

March of the First Order and Star Wars : A Galaxy Far, Far Away

We absolutely love this experience. If you are a Star Wars fan, nothing beats watching Captain Phasma leading storm troopers right down Hollywood Boulevard. The march runs every hour from 10am-5pm and ends in the Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away show at the center of Hollywood Studios. The show includes your favorite Star Wars characters recreating many of your favorite moments from the films.

.

Jedi Training

This may be the best free activity at Walt Disney World! Jedi Training at Walt Disney World allows your little one to sign up and be trained with other Jedis. The lean to fight with a lightsaber and their training ends with a battle with one of the Star Wars villains. The experience also comes with tons of pictures from the Disney photo pass photographers, so it’s sure to make memories for years to come.

Spots for this experience go extremely quickly, so you will want to sign up for a time as soon as the park opens. The sign-up station is located next to the Indiana Jones experience.

The Green Army Men of Toy Story Land

Marching through Toy Story Land with the Green Army Man Band

One of the best character interactions in Toy Story Land are with the Green Army men! They room around the land, taking pictures and offering high-fives. They even have a band that marches through Toy Story land. Finally, they have a set of games they stop to play with fellow “toys”. You’ll love watching the fun interaction they have with guests as well as the banter between them.

Citizens of Hollywood

The Citizens of Hollywood are an improv group that travels around Hollywood Studios bringing tons of laughs! You may happen along their group throughout the park and make sure to stop and enjoy their brand of comedy.

Special Character Experiences

Check out special characters, like Chewbacca, that you can only find at Hollywood Studios.

There are several Character experiences at Hollywood Studios that you can’t get anywhere else! Star Wars Launch Bay has BB-8, Chewbacca, and Kylo Wren ready to take a picture with you.

Toy Story Land has Jessie, Buzze and Woody on stand-by for an autograph and photo. One of the best interactions is with the Green Army Patrol. Their drum core passes through Toy Story Land. If you catch one of their shows, they also let you come up for pictures at the end.

Get 2 for 1 with a picture with both Woody and Jessie!

Finally, you can find Mickey in his Sorcerer’s Apprentice robe and hat. Minnie is also available for autographs and pictures in her fancy Hollywood attire.

Hollywood Studios FastPass Summary

The most important things to take away from your Hollywood Studios FastPass bookings are:

The first tier includes all of the Toy Story rides. You can only book one in advance each day.

Slinky Dog Dash is the most popular ride at Hollywood Studios right now, so it should take your Toy Story Land tier booking.

If you are of height, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a must-do. It’s the faster rollercoaster at Walt Disney World and the only one that goes upside down.

Fanstasmic! is one of the best shows at Walt Disney World. Usually fast passes for shows aren’t that valuable, but this one is worth it.

Use your fast passes up as quickly as possible so you can start booking more!

If you are a Star Wars fan, there is a lot to do without a fastpass. Catch the March of the First Order, Star Wars : A Galaxy Far, Far Away, or Jedi training. Jedi training is probably the best free “extra” experience at Walt Disney World.

If you need help with other parks, make sure to check out our other posts:

]]>http://momentmom.com/MM/hollywood-studios-fastpass/feed/03262Animal Kingdom Fastpass : Lions, Banshees, and Dinosaurs!http://momentmom.com/MM/animal-kingdom-fastpass/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=animal-kingdom-fastpass
http://momentmom.com/MM/animal-kingdom-fastpass/#commentsThu, 06 Dec 2018 05:04:57 +0000http://momentmom.com/MM/?p=3148Animal Kingdom is the largest park at Walt Disney World so having some well-timed fastpasses can make the trek from one attraction to the next worth it. A common misconception about Animal Kingdom is...

]]>Animal Kingdom is the largest park at Walt Disney World so having some well-timed fastpasses can make the trek from one attraction to the next worth it. A common misconception about Animal Kingdom is that it is just a really big zoo. You will definitely find lots of animal attractions, but those are actually the best way to spend time between your fastpass+ selections.

Animal Kingdom Fastpass Plus Attractions

Fastpasses at Animal Kingdom come in a large variety, from thrilling roller coasters to exciting shows and even a safari through Africa. They can be put into three basic categories:

Fast Rides / Motion Rides

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Dinosaur

Kali River Rapids

Primeval Whirl

Avatar Flight of Passage

Experiences / Non-Rides

Festival of the Lion King Show

Finding Nemo – The Musical

It’s Tough to Be a Bug

Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventure Outpost

Rivers of Light

Up! A Great Bird Adventure

Slow Moving Rides

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Nav’i Rivera Journey

Animal Kingdom FastPass Tiers

Animal Kingdom is one of the three parks at Walt Disney World that uses the tier system for their fast passes. There are two tiers : Pandora and Non-Pandora. You can only schedule one of the two rides in Pandora: Nav’i River Journey or Avatar Flight of Passage. You can schedule two selections from any of the other available fast passes. In this category, you should always select Avatar Flight of Passage unless you have kiddos that don’t meet the minimum height. While the Nav’i River Journey is a pretty ride , Avatar Flight of Passage is one of the most advanced rides at Disney and the wait is consistently over 90-120 minutes.

The Best Animal Kingdom FastPasses

Down to the good stuff! Which Animal Kingdom fastpass+ selections should you pick? The answer totally depends on the way you like to visit the parks and the height of your group.

First Timers

Thrill Seekers

Traveling with Toddlers

Adulting

Broadway Baby

Beat the Heat

Kilimanjaro Safari

Expedition Everest

Kilimanjaro Safari

Avatar - Flight of Passage

Festival of the Lion King Show

Kali River Rapids

Avatar - Flight of Passage

Dinosaur!

Na'vi River Journey

Expedition Everest

Finding Nemo - The Musical

Na'vi River Journey

Expedition Everest

Avatar - Flight of Passage

Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventure Outpost

Primeval Whirl

Rivers of Light

Finding Nemo - The Musical

First Time Visit FastPasses to Animal Kingdom

If it’s your first time at Animal Kingdom, you will want to spread your FastPasses around the best areas of the park. The best ride to capture the spirit of the park is Kilimanjaro Safari. It takes you on a safari through the an African Savannah. This ride is so well designed that you can’t even spot a fence keeping you from the lions! This is also one of the best rides for taking amazing photographs in the park. You really become park of the “Animal Kingdom” with a ride on Kilimanjaro Safari.

Your next FastPass+ is one of the most advanced rides at Walt Disney World. Opening in May 2018, Avatar – Flight of Passage lets you experience what it would be like to ride on the back of a Banshee through Pandora. The ride is a truly 4D experience, with not only 3D visuals, but you can even smell the ocean and feel the water as you dive through Pandora on your banshee.

The best thrill ride and must-have FastPass : Expedition Everest.

Rounding out a first timers FastPasses Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. Arguably one of the best roller coasters at Disney World, Expedition Everest is located in Asia in Animal Kingdom and lets you face the fearsome yeti. You can get amazing views of Epcot and Hollywood Studios from the top of this roller coaster. Dips and turns and spirals all make this an amazing ride!

Fastpasses for Thrill Seekers at Animal Kingdom

The thrill seekers should also score FastPasses for Avatar Flight of Passage as well as Expedition Everest. Both of these rides should appeal to those who like to go fast and experience immersive, thrilling experiences. To round out the choices, add Dinosaur! to your selections as well. this ride takes you back to the Cretaceous period to rescue an Iguanadon. The ride zips in between different scenes as you try to escape a Carnotaurus.

Traveling with Toddlers In Animal Kingdom

If you are traveling with toddlers and fall below the height limit for the more adventurous rides, you can still have a great time at Animal Kingdom! Kilimanjaro Safari is a great choice for all ages and toddlers will especially love seeing all the animals so close to their vehicle. The Na’vi River Journey is your next best bet for a fun ride with toddlers. It is a relaxing boat ride through Pandora, and the kids will get to see tons of bright colors and glowing bioluminescent flowers and even a Shaman at the end! Finally, a trip to any Disney Park isn’t complete without a visit with Mickey and Minnie. You can meet Minnie and Mickey at the Adventure Outpost and snag a photo with your toddler and the two in their Safari gear.

Adulting in Animal Kingdom

Take a whirl in Dinoland U.S.A.

When you have the chance to visit Animal Kingdom sans-kids, you can take full advantage by riding all of the rides with the biggest height requirements. Expedition Everest and Avatar – Flight of Passage are the biggest thrills at Animal Kingdom. Adding in Primevil Whirl in Dinoland U.S.A. rounds out the fun, adult rides. This one is reminiscent of a carnival ride, whirling you around and up and down. It’s not the best ride for kids due to the rough nature of the whirling but is a load of fun for adults.

Broadway Baby – Bring on the Shows in Animal Kingdom

Hollywood Studios isn’t the only Park that brings on the shows! If shows are your jam, then you can score premium seating to get the best experience. The quintessential Animal Kingdom show is Festival of the Lion King, so it should be at the top of your FastPass list. Rivers of Light is the closing show at Animal Kingdom and a pretty unique offering. The fastpass will get you a close up view of the river and boats. Finally, the Finding Nemo show is a classic at Animal Kingdom and also a great way to cool down on a hot day.

Beat the Heat

Best FastPass to cool down at Animal Kingdom? Take a ride down Kali River Rapids.

It can get h-o-t at Walt Disney World, and Animal Kingdom is the largest park of all. Trekking between Africa and Asia can quickly have you searching for a nice place to cool down. Kali River Rapids is the best way to beat the heat as you navigate the rapids and get splashed. Be forewarned that you WILL get wet on the ride. Na’vi River Journey in Pandora is a much calmer boat ride (no threats of getting splashed) and runs through a lovely, air-conditioned area. Of all shows, Finding Nemo – The Musical has the best air conditioning in the theatre. It’s a nice show for a quick, relaxing time.

Wasted FastPasses in Animal Kingdom

There are a few rides that really are a waste of a fastpass because the wait is hardly ever that long or you don’t really gain a better seat at the show. All this said, you should also remember that if it is something you just love doing, you can still book the fastpass.

Fast Rides / Motion Rides –

Primeval Whirl – You can usually get on Primevil Whirl with a less than 30 minute wait. It really is a fun ride but falls lower on the priority list for a fastpass due to its being less popular than some of the other thrill rides.

Experiences / Non-Rides

You can almost be guaranteed to get a seat at any of the shows as long as you show up 15-30 minutes prior to the start. You might not get the premier seat, but you can still enjoy the show.

Festival of the Lion King Show

Finding Nemo – The Musical

It’s Tough to Be a Bug – The auditorium for It’s Tough to Be a Bug fits a lot of people, so you typically won’t see wait time of more than 15 minutes for this one either.

Rivers of Light – Again,

Up! A Great Bird Adventure

How to Schedule Your Animal Kingdom FastPass

Now that you know what you want, you need to actually schedule it! You can schedule your FastPass from either the MyDisneyExperience App or vía the Walt Disney World website. You can find full instructions hereon the mechanics of booking, and there are some tips to pick the best dates/times:

Check Your Park Hours – Make sure you double check park hours. If you are staying on-property, you might have access to Extra Magic Hours. This means you could get in early or stay late in a park after regular guests leave. These are excellent times to try to snag another popular ride. For example, since both Avatar – Flight of Passage and Na’vi River journey are in the same tier, you can’t get a FastPass for both in one day. If you get in to Extra Magic Hours, however, the line for Na’vi River Journey goes down considerably and you could probably still ride it with minimal wait.

If you AREN’T staying on property, you should also pay attention to Extra Magic Hours. While everyone on property might stay late at a park on night, you can snag much shorter lines the next day since most on-property guests won’t revisit the same park two days in a row.

Use everyFastPass secret in our guide to snag the best times. You’ll want to have times during peak hours for your first 3 fastpasses (10a-4p in most parks) and use them as quickly as possible so you can begin scheduling additional FP+ selections one at a time.

Walt Disney World FastPass+ Pro-tip : The ones you are most likely to snag same-day are listed below, but in order to book them, you can’t let your phone die! The MyDisneyEpxerience app is a renowned batter-draining app, so we always recommend taking an external battery pack with you so your phone doesn’t die right when you are ready to schedule that next fastpass. The best one we have found is the Anker Power Core 1300. It has 2 USB charger ports and can charge an iPhone up to 4 times on a single charge of itself. It’s worth the price.:

Probably a Sure Thing

Finding Nemo – The Musical

It’s Tough to Be a Bug

Primeval Whirl

Rivers of Light

Up! A Great Bird Adventure

During non-Peak Days:

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Kali River Rapids

Festival of the Lion King Show

Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventure Outpost

Fun without a FastPass at Animal Kingdom

Remember that Animal Kingdom isn’t just “a big zoo,” but it certainly does have some amazing animal exhibits! Not only can you have a great time without a fastpass, but these same attractions help you make the most of your time between fast passes too. The sheer number of non-fastpass activities make this a 2 day park for sure.

The Boneyard

My kids could spend HOURS at the boneyard. It is a genius idea to incorporate a giant playground into the park, especially the section that is covered, shaded and filled with mister fans during the hot summer months. Another fun addition is that Pluto tours around the boneyard and will post for pictures and offer signatures while your kids are having fun on the slides. They can even dig up a Wooly Mammoth skeleton!

Maharaja Jungle Trek

You can wonder through the jungle in Asia and visit Tigers and komodo dragons. The bats in their open air enclosure are alway a big hit with the kids as well! The aviary contains over 50 different species of birds, and you will find guides all along the trail to answer your questions. Located right outside Kali River Rapids, the Maharaja Jungle Trek is a great way to spend your time either before or after your FatPass or Kali River Rapids.

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

As soon as you exit your Kilimanjaro Safari ride, you can take a trip through the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. Just like it’s name implies, you have a chance to see western lowland gorillas. You can explore other African animals, like the fun meerkats or watch a hippopotamus swimming gracefully underwater.

Explore the Tree of Life

The centerpiece of Animal Kingdom is an attraction in its own right. You can spend time on Discovery Island in the center of Animal Kingdom and explore the different sides of the Tree of Life.

TriceraTop Spin

You don’t need a fastpass for Triceratops Spin!

The only ride in Disney’s Animal Kingdom without a FastPass option is TriceraTop Spin. It’s a great parallel to the Dumbo ride at Magic Kingdom except it lets you tilt your Triceratop forward and backward in addition to flying up and down in the air. This is a great ride for toddlers, and the wait is usually very reasonable.

Winged Encounters

If you can catch this encounter, it is definitely worth it! Macaws from all over the park are called in front of the tree of life. You get to learn about these amazing birds and then witness them take off all together. It truly is an amazing sight!

Special Character Meet and Greets

Animal Kingdom also has some characters that you can’t meet anywhere else. They also usually come with fairly short lines. Donald’s Dino Bash in Dinoland U.S.A. currently features Scrooge McDuck and Launchpad McQuack. You can’t catch these two characters in any other park currently. You can also see Daisy, Chip, Dale, and Donald dressed up in their dino-inspired designs. For Disney Princesses, Pocohantas has a meet and greet spot. We have met Governor Ratcliff with her before here, although he is not guaranteed. Finally, you can check our King Louie and Balloo in a Character Meet and Greet spot. Other characters that you might see roaming include Tarzan and Rafiki, although they don’t have a dedicated place currently.

Animal Kingdom FastPass Summary

The most important things to take away from your Animal Kingdom FastPass bookings are:

There is a tier that includes both rides in Pandora so you can only book one of the rides in advance.

Avatar – Flight of Passage is one of the most advanced rides at Walt Disney World. If you meet the heigh requirement, book it.

Kilimanjaro Safari is a must if it’s your first time at Animal Kingdom. It’s the best way to see the amazing animals and really encompasses everything the park is about.

You can get into almost all of the shows without a FastPass.

Use your fast passes up as quickly as possible so you can start booking more!

There is almost as much to do without a FastPass as with a FastPass. For that reason, Animal Kingdom can easily be a two day park, meaning it has enough attractions to fill two whole days of your visit.

Good luck snagging the best rides at Animal Kingdom! if you need help with other parks, make sure to check out our other posts:

]]>http://momentmom.com/MM/animal-kingdom-fastpass/feed/13148Disney Snacks : The Must-Eat Disney Parks Treatshttp://momentmom.com/MM/disney-snacks/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=disney-snacks
http://momentmom.com/MM/disney-snacks/#respondSun, 02 Dec 2018 03:02:55 +0000http://momentmom.com/MM/?p=3145Of all the planning you do for a Disney Parks trip, planning out the delicious snacks you are going to eat rises right to the top of my list! The best Disney snacks come...

]]>Of all the planning you do for a Disney Parks trip, planning out the delicious snacks you are going to eat rises right to the top of my list! The best Disney snacks come in a variety of flavors, from classic snacks like Mickey Ice Cream Bars to snacks you can only find in Tokyo, like Alien-inpsired Mochi Balls. I dare you to make it through the list without wanting one of these Disney snacks!

The Classic Disney Parks Snacks

You Can’t Beat the Classic – Mickey Bars

It’s not a successful Disney trip for me unless I get to indulge in one (or more) of the famous Mickey bars. These treats seem simple on the surface – they’re made of vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate coating on a stick – but the flavor is way better than any other ice cream bar that I’ve tried. Plus, anything Mickey shaped is automatically more magical. You can find Mickey bars all over Disney World and Disneyland parks, as well as in their resort hotels. They’re a perfectly delicious way to cool off on a hot day, so don’t miss your chance to grab one!

You should remember that delicious Disney snacks aren’t just for the kiddos too. You can enjoy them as an adult visiting Disney World as well!

Dole Whip – Yes Please!

Fruity. Creamy. Refreshing. Sweet. Legendary. As far as we are concerned, nothing beats the tropical taste of Disneyland’s pineapple Dole Whip on a hot day! It is the perfect refreshing treat during a break between the riding the teacups for the fifth time and Mickey’s Soundsational late afternoon parade. The Dole Whip wins bonus points for being available for pre-order in the Disneyland mobile app. Long lines are no more; you can go around the back of the Tiki Bar to pick up your order and then relax in one of the cool seating areas. Pineapple is a family favorite in our house and that means the Dole Whip wins the vote for which snack to buy every time. It’s also big enough to split it…but who wants to?

Let’s Cheer for the Churros!

From Jill at Let’s Travel Family

Let’s be real, we are all here for the Churros! Picture from Let’s Travel Family

I am the type of mom to plan and prepare for the unprepared as we travel with our 4 kids full-time. That’s why I made a list of our best things to bring to Disneyland before our visit last year. Yet, my husband and I spoke ahead of time about allowing our family to truly have a Disney experience…. which means preparing to indulge a little and buy the yummy Disney snacks and treats.

We made sure to give each of our kid’s several opportunities to find a fun snack that they could have. Our youngest daughter has a dairy intolerance, so that’s why finding the delicious Churros was an awesome find! Now they are a family favorite!

Ditch the Sweet and Try the Salty – Mickey Pretzel

From Angela at The Life of Spicers

The classic salty treat, a Mickey Pretzel is hard to beat! Photo from The Life of Spicers

A Mickey pretzel is such a classic snack option at Walt Disney World, you really can’t miss out on trying one. One pretzel is more than enough for two to share and is the perfect salty treat to give you a pick me up during a busy park day.

Beware though! They are really moreish, and whether you choose to dip your bready snack into the cheese dip it comes with or eat it alone, you will find yourself going for just one more bite.

Choosing a Mickey pretzel if you’re on the Disney Dining plan is great value for money from a snack credit, and if you’re paying out of pocket, then this is a very filling treat worthy of the cost.

Chocolate, Sprinkles, and everything in between – The Mickey Rice Crispy Treat

Covered in chocolate and sprinkles, the Mickey Rice Crispy treat is a classic!

Nothing makes me a hoarder like Mickey Rice Crispy treats. When you have extra snacks on the Disney Dining Plan, there is no better way to spend them then getting A LOT of rice crispy treats. We love to take them home as souvenirs for our friends and family. They can come covered in chocolate, sprinkles, nuts, and even M&Ms. You can also find specialty ones, like Frozen-inspired. We visited Walt Disney World during Easter one year and even found some fun Easter egg rice crispy treats.

Disney Classic Snack Fun

The classic Disney snacks are so famous that they even have their own line of accessories, like a Mickey Ice Cream bar purse! Once you find your favorite snack, it’s tons of fun so show it off in the Parks too!

The Best Sugary Snacks at Disney Parks

Tiana’s House Specialty – Traditional Beignets

The beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter can quench any sweet tooth! Photo from DQ Family Travel

My absolute favorite breakfast, dessert, and snack at Disney have to be the beignets from the Port Orleans French Quarter resort. They are served at the hotel’s quick service café, Sassagoula Floatworks. Every time our family of four visits Disney World, we make sure to stop at the French Quarter to have those beignets. They are sugary, messy, doughy and oh so satisfying. I make sure to get an order of 3 just for myself! Through the years we have stopped in at various times of the day and have had enjoyed this delicious snack that reminds us of our time in New Orleans. They even offer a seasonal version – pumpkin beignets. The chefs who make the beignets always prepare it fresh to order and provide a generous topping of powdered sugar as a finishing touch. As great as other Disney snacks are, nothing compares to my French Quarter beignets! Be sure to also check out the best kept fastpass secrets to get even more fun out of next Walt Disney World trip.

New Orleans with a Mickey Twist – Mickey Beignets

Beignets from Disneyland come in fun Mickey shapes! Photo from Things to Do and Eat

The Mickey shaped beignets originally found in Disneyland are my favorite Disney snack!

They’re more dense than your average beignet, and they also come with vanilla and raspberry dipping sauces. This makes the perfect snack for anyone who loves fried dough and sugary goodness. In the fall, they also have a pumpkin version and in the winter they have a peppermint version!

You can find these in New Orleans Square- both at the Mint Julep Bar if you want them to go or at Cafe Orleans for more of a fancy sit down experience.

Smile – It’s a Cheshire Cat Tail!

Cheshire Cat Tails are a sugary-sweet treat near the Teacups in Magic Kingdom

This treat is so delicious, don’t be surprised when it disappears quicker than the Cheshire Cat that is its namesake. These treats are made from a pastry dough similar to a croughnut a cross between a croissant and a donut. They are filled with dark chocolate chips, melted to a sweet perfection. Purple and pink icing drizzled on top round out the treat. You can find them at the Cheshire Café, near the teacups in Magic Kingdom. We find them to be a fun snack as we are making our way between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, or waiting for our next Magic Kingdom FastPass+!

The Best Treats to Cool Down at Disney Parks

Beat the Heat with Mickey and Minnie Ice Lollies

From Leona at Wandermust Family

One of the best ways to cool down at the hot Disney Parks is with a treat like the Ice Lollie. Photo from Wandermust Family

My absolute favorite Disney snack is the Mickey and Minnie Ice Cream Lollies! We have traveled extensively in the Asian Disney Parks, Tokyo and Hong Kong and in the summer both places can get almost unbearably hot! These ice cream lollies are one sure fire way to cool off in the hot summer sun! I also love them, because sometimes it is really difficult to get little ones to stop and relax at Disney and ice cream is a great way of getting them to slow down even if just for a minute! Also these snack make great photo opportunities! Whether you decide to visit Tokyo Disney or DisneySea, these ice lollies, these are a must on your list.

Neverland Treats and the Peter Pan Float

We love the lime ice cream in the Peter Pan Float at Storybook Treats in Magic Kingdom.

Ice cream is a major snack category at the Disney Parks, and Storybook Treats in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World has an awesome assortment of different ice cream options. If cookie sundaes or Tinker Bell cones aren’t your thing, you can spring for one of the most unique treats: the Peter Pan Float. It is made with a healthy service of lime ice cream floating in Sprite and topped with a red Chocolate Feather in its cap. The Peter Pan float is a great refreshing snack. We easily shared it amongst our family of 4 for a quick bite. This fun dessert would be perfect for sharing on a day with your toddler in the Magic Kingdom.

Brrrr….Cool Down with a Frozen Lemonade In Hollywood Studios

At Anaheim Produce near the Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios, you’ll find the extremely refreshing frozen lemonade. From the exterior, it looks like a produce stand. The Minute Maid frozen lemonade is a must on hot days and a great alternative to the plentiful ice cream options. They also have a blue raspberry version.

Snacking in Pandora – The Night Blossom

Kids love the Night Blossom in Animal Kingdom with the fun boba balls!

Disney may have Parks around the world, but the Night Blossom in Pandora – World of Avatar at Pongu Pongu is a treat from an entirely different planet. This drink was a huge hit with my kids, because it really does seem like a frozen treat from a completely alien land. There are layers of frozen apple and pear limeade, giving it fun pink and green colors. The passion fruit boba balls were by far the biggest hit though. They thought it was so much fun to bite down and burst open the yummy treats. You can also spring for a souvenir mug with this drink and it comes with a glowing seed inside to add some more extra fun. It counts as a snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan.

The Best Disney Snacks From Around the World

Pomme de Amour

From Marie at Our City Travels

Your Pomme de Amour can come in any variety you can think of!

“Magic blood-red apple which, when bitten, will send its victim into the Sleeping Death. A victim of that can only be revived by love’s first kiss.” This is the famous line from our childhood that describes the apple that Snow White ate that sent her to an apparent “death.” And I’m sure you remember in the books and in the movies how red the apple was. In reality, no apple could be a perfect red…but when you get to visit Disneyland Paris, glistening red apples, among the many sweets you can get a bite on, are the most attractive.

Taking inspiration from the Snow white apple, toffee apples or Pomme d’ Amour were one of the treats I enjoyed munching on while walking around Disneyland Paris. But the Pomme d’ Amour Mickey takes the treat to another level. The upper part of the candied apples are given a layer of chocolate shaped with Mickey’s ears, complete with his iconic blue hat. There are variations of Mickeys candied apples; covered in white chocolate with marshmallow ears, and the base is covered in edible blue dust (magic!). The others are colorfully designed, all with marshmallow ears. Every apple looked so delicious that in the end, you can’t say no to a bite! Don’t worry, none of them is poisoned!

Sweets at Disneyland Paris – Sugar Donuts

The kids love the sugar donuts at Disneyland Paris. Photo from Big Family Little Adventure

The children’s favourite snack when we visit Disneyland Paris is the doughnuts, I don’t know what it is about them that make them so soft and fluffy, and the sugar is plentiful and gets everywhere! When we visited, they were one of the choices for the petit gourmand that was included in the half board offer, a choice between an ice cream or the doughnut, which in the chilly winter months is definitely the only choice, although you may need to check if it’s still included in their offer, if it isn’t then go find a cafe that doers them as its the perfect little pick me up in the afternoon to ensure the children have a little bit of a sugar rush to ensure they can continue with their fun packed afternoon and keep them going until dinner! Goes perfectly with their delicious hot chocolate.

Mochi Balls in Fun Character Shapes

The delicious mochi snacks at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in Japan are quite possibly the best looking and tasting little treats we’ve found at any Disney Park. Mochi is a soft rice cake and these delicious little balls are filled with custard, chocolate and strawberry cream and cost 360 Yen for three. At Tokyo Disneyland we found our Green Alien Mochi at the snack bar upstairs from the Main Galactic Pizza Port across from the Star Tours. At Tokyo DisneySea, we bought Darth Vadar and Stormtrooper Mochi at a little stand at the base of the bridge at the waterfront, near the SS Colombia. Enjoy! After the Parks, make sure you check out more fun things to do in Tokyo with your kids.

Flavoured Popcorn at Tokyo Disney Sea

From Dawn at 5 Lost Together

Try all the flavored popcorn with a fun character bucket at Tokyo Disney Sea! Photo from 5 Lost Together

One of the highlights of visiting the Disney Parks in Japan is sampling the new and interesting signature Disney foods. At Tokyo Disney Sea, popcorn is the big deal and you can sample seven interesting flavours throughout the park. Buy a themed bucket when you arrive and start your popcorn exploration journey. Flavours like White Chocolate and Caramel are good ways to get warmed up before venturing on to Tomato Herb, Curry and the limited edition flavours. Once you have your bucket, just pay to have it refilled as you travel between different lands. If you are looking for more fun things to do at Tokyo Disney Sea, snag this one day Tokyo Disney Sea itinerary.

Mickey Mouse Muffins

From Katy at Untold Morsels

Perfect breakfast or fun snack! These Mickey Muffins are a great Disney Snack. Photo from Untold Morsels.

If you visit Tokyo Disney in Japan, prepare yourself for an avalanche of themed food options. From flavoured popcorn to local favourite melon bread, it all comes with a signature Disney spin. At least half of the offerings have a Mickey theme and our favourite were the Mickey muffins at the Sweetheart Cafe.

Available in banana and walnut and double chocolate flavours, the muffins are a fun and quick snack to munch on between rides. Our kids tried each flavour and went back for more on our second day at the park. They are not too big so you have plenty of room to try all the other delicious treats at Tokyo Disney, one of the best things to do in Japan with kids!

Disney Snacks that Double as a Meal

Snacking in Disney Springs – Morimoto Baby Ribs

From Yamy at GoFamGo

One of the best savory Disney treats are the baby ribs at Morimoto Asia Street Food! Photo from GoFamGo.

Morimoto Asia Street Food is located by the entrance of Morimoto Asiain Disney Springs at Walt Disney World. The restaurant is headlined by Iron Chef Morimoto. It sells quick bites from the main restaurant’s menu including one of our favorites, the Morimoto Baby Ribs. For as little as $10.00, you get a hefty sampling of 3 yummy ribs. We love it because of the generous serving size you can get to go without needing to book advance reservations. It has great value as well especially if using a snack credit. Morimoto Asia usually charges 2 table service credits for dinner.

No One…Make Cinnamon Rolls like Gaston!

The cinnamon rolls from Gaston’s are one of the most delicious Disney snacks!

It’s funny how food can become a special memory all on its own. This delicious treat became our go-to late-night snack in between Barnstormer rides and visits with Belle. Gaston’s Tavern serves this amazing cinnamon roll that brings back all our memories of fun, late-nights in Fantasy Land at Magic Kingdom.

One cinnamon roll is plenty for two people to share. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan and trying to conserve your meals, using this as a quick breakfast is one of our best Disney Dining Plan Hacks. During the Christmas season, you can even snag one with red and green icing!

Snack on Everything at one of Epcot’s Festivals

Fill up on snacks for an entire meal at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival

I can’t even narrow down a single snack at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival to say it’s my favorite, but the spicy shrimp from Mexico during the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival were definitely near the top of my list. One of the absolute best ways to enjoy Disney snacks as a full meal is to visit one of the many Epcot festivals and completely snack your way around the entire world. We love trying both savory and sweet dishes from each of the pavilions. You can even get a passport with a list of all of the snacks inside to make sure you don’t miss a single one!

The Best Disney Snacks Summary

The power of Disney snacks doesn’t just come from their sweet and salty taste, but also from the memories they connect you to. You will always remember your favorite late-night snack (Gaston’s Cinnamon Rolls for us!) and the snack that means “I’m at Disney” like your first Mickey Ice Cream Bar. Hopefully this list can help you narrow the options down to your new favorite!

]]>http://momentmom.com/MM/disney-snacks/feed/03145Rent DVC Points and Stay Deluxe for Moderate Priceshttp://momentmom.com/MM/rent-dvc-points-and-stay-deluxe-for-moderate-prices/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rent-dvc-points-and-stay-deluxe-for-moderate-prices
http://momentmom.com/MM/rent-dvc-points-and-stay-deluxe-for-moderate-prices/#commentsMon, 05 Nov 2018 03:30:04 +0000http://momentmom.com/MM/?p=3107Disclaimer: Some of the links and images below contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. It seems so complicated...

]]>Disclaimer: Some of the links and images below contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

It seems so complicated and confusing, but dvc rental is worth figuring out. Some Disney tricks may save you 5% on your vacation, like snagging gifts cards at discounts, but renting DVC points can literally save you 50% off a Deluxe hotel stay. So, if you like keeping more of your money AND staying at the best DVC resorts at Walt Disney World, read on and be on your way to rent DVC points!

Disney Vacation Club Points Explained

The most confusing part of Disney Vacation Club point rental is understanding what in the world a “point” is! Those of us that are Disney Vacation Club Member (best decision I every made!) are used to booking our trips in “points”, but it seems like a very foreign concept to anyone who has booked a traditional Walt Disney World vacation.

What is a DVC Point?

There is not a direct conversion from dollars to Disney Vacation Club points to rent a room. Disney establishes how many points it takes to book a DVC room and issues a “point chart” for each resort that tells you how many points it takes at any given time of the year.

Points vary by resort, time of year, day of week, view and type of room. Similar to cost, a room will require more points if it is booked during a very busy season at Disney compared to a slow season. It will also take more points to book a 1 bedroom suite versus a studio room.

How do I know how many DVC points I need?

DVC Points will vary by:

Season

Resort

Room Type

Day of the Week (Sunday-Thursday, Friday-Satuday, or Weekly)

View

The dates in each season change a little each year since it’s also based around holidays and school breaks. If we focus on only on Walt Disney World only, the seasons for are roughly:

Adventure Season – This is the the time to visit that requires the fewest number of points:

January, September, Early December

Choice Season

October, November (except Thanksgiving, Late December (Up until Christmas)

Dream Season

First half of February, May, Early June, Late August

Magic Season

Late February to Mid-March, April (After Spring Break), Late June, July, Early August, and Thanksgiving

Premier Seasons – This is the most expensive time visit and requires the most points

As an example, let’s pretend we are comparing a week at Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas and Bay Lake Tower (standard and value views):

Season

Animal Kingdom Villas - Savannah

Bay Lake Tower - Standard

Adventure

81

102

Choice

88

107

Dream

95

123

Magic

116

139

Premier

146

183

What are the Disney Vacation Club Resorts?

The DVC resorts are also commonly called the Deluxe Villas. Disney adds to the resorts consistently, with the Riviera due to open in 2019. Some DVC are resorts by themselves and others are connected to other Deluxe Resorts:

Resort Name

Related Deluxe Resort

Bay Lake Tower

Contemporary Resort

Boulder Ridge Villas

Wilderness Lodge

Copper Creek Villas and Cabins

Wilderness Lodge

Jambo House Villas

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Kidani Village Villas

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Beach Club Villas

Beach Club

Boardwalk Villas

Boardwalk

Old Key West

Only DVC

Polynesian Villas and Bungalows

Polynesian Village

Saratoga Springs

Only DVC

Villas at Grand Floridian

Grand Floridian

Vero Beach Resort

Vero Beach, FL

Hilton Head Island Resort

Hilton Head, SC

Aulani

Oahu, Hawaii

Villas at Grand Californian

Grand Californian, Disneyland

There last four onto list are also other Disney Vacation Club properties but are located outside of Walt Disney World.

For specific example of what is it like to stay at a Disney Vacation Club Property, you can get full experiences here:

What is the availability of each Disney Vacation Club Resort?

This is a big one for anyone renting DVC points. The DVC resorts are only available for booking during specified times. When each DVC owners buys into a property, they can book that particular resort 11 months in advance. They can rent any other resort 7 months in advance. This means that if i buy into Grand Floridian Villas, I can book a room there starting at 11 months before my arrival. I can only book Polynesian at 7 months prior to arrival. This does mean that it is a lot harder to get the resort you want if it isn’t your “home resort.”

So, what does that mean for you if you are renting points? It means that some resorts will be hard to get. In general, the following rules of thumb apply:

Studios go first. they They required the fewest points, so they are often the quickest to go.

DVCs the are part of a Deluxe property tend to go before DVC Only resorts like Old Key West or Saratoga Springs.

Beach Club is notoriously hard to get into. Everyone wants to enjoy Storm Along Bay!

Realistically, I have snagged a Studio at Polynesian with 6 months advance notice. I’ve also personally booked an Animal Kingdom Savannah View Studio and a Grand Floridian Studio with about 5 month’s notice. The more flexible you can be with your booking, the better your chances.

Polynesian Deluxe Studio – Booked about 6 months in advance.

How do you Rent DVC Points?

To rent DVC points, you can rent directly from a DVC owner or go through a DVC rental broker. There are pros and cons of both options that you will want to consider carefully before choosing your path.

DVC Rental Companies

Disney Vacation Club Members (like me!) sign up with a rental service and tell them how many points they have available.

People (like you!) request a DVC rental. You can typically request several different resorts as options.

The DVC rental company searches for available properties and reports back to you regarding your options.

If you decide to move forward, you pay for the stay and save lots of $$!

Before we became DVC owners, we usedDavid’s Vacation Club Rentalsto try out the DVC properties. We actually made our leap into the DVC while staying at the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows as part of a rental through David’s. I’ve head great things about the DVC Rental Store as well, but I’ve personally used David’s and can vouch for the ease of the experience.

A few things to note:

You do have to pay a deposit of $112 for David’s to search for your DVC. If they find what you requested, the deposit is applied to your stay. If they don’t find it, then you get your money back.

You have to pay in full once you select a stay. Booking through Disney, you can usually pay a deposit and then have until 30 days before you arrive to pay in full if it’s a package or pay upon check-in if it is a room-only stay.

Renting Direct from Owners

Some owners will also rent to you directly. The best place to find options is on theDIS Board Rent/Trade board. DVC members will typically ask for less money per point since there isn’t a middle-man. You do have the risk though of not having a verified business handling your transaction. I’ve never heard of anything going wrong from renting directly from an owner, but I would use some precautions like using PayPal or another service that offers protection on your payment.

How much does renting DVC points cost?

A typical price for renting DVC points is $16 per point, quoting the amount from David’s Vacation Club Rentals if you book 7 months out from you visit. If you book more than 7 months out, there is a $1 per point premium for $17 per point.

Going back to our example of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Let’s see how much the point rental would cost us:

Season

Animal Kingdom Villas Savannah Weekly Points

Total Cost

Adventure

81

$1296

Choice

88

$1408

Dream

95

$1520

Magic

116

$1856

Premier

146

$2336

For a full week in Animal Kingdom Lodge value view, you can spend anywhere from $1104 to $1888. So the BIG question is, how does that compare to a regular room.

How much will I save renting DVC points?

The amount you save depends on a variety of factors, including time of the year, size of the room, length of stay and many more. For example you will typically save more on a Grand Floridian stay than Animal Kingdom for example. Even more money on a 2 bedroom suite than a studio. Sticking with our example though, let’s see how much you’ll save in our Animal Kingdom Villas Savannah View Studio compared to the rack rate.

Season

Traditional Cost

DVC Cost

Savings

Adventure (1/6-1/12)

$3503

$1296

$2,207 (63%)

Choice (10/14-10/20)

$3269

$1408

$1861 (56%)

Dream (2/1-2/7)

$3476

$1520

$1956 (56%)

Magic (2/16-2/22)

$4424

$1856

$2568 (58%)

Premier (3/30-4/6)

$3796

$2336

$1460 (38%)

One thing of note is that you will rarely pay the rack rate. It’s normal to get 20-25% off a room rate. You can see from the savings that even if you get a 25% discounted room, the savings are significant!

The Arusha Rock Savannah is a great place to spot one of the 30 species roaming around Animal Kingdom Lodge.

What are the amenities you can get with DVC point rentals?

The great thing about renting DVC Is that you can still use all the same perks of booking through Disney:

Free Parking – This is a BIG one since Disney World started charging for parking in 2018

When you start looking specifically at “extras,” the Polynesian and Grand Floridian Studio villas really stand out as they have TWO bathrooms!! I really can’t begin to describe how much of a help this is when you are trying to get the kiddos ready!

There are a few options you lose access to with DVC rental points:

Mousekeeping – You will only get a visit from Mousekeeping on the 4th day o fa 7 day stay in a DVC room. Disney will come in and change towels and change out the trash, but not change the sheets. You can opt to pay extra for Mousekeeping each day if you would like. You

Free Dining Plan – You cannot snag a free Dining Plan promotion if you are renting DVC. These promotions are very popular, but they also mean you pay the normal rate for the room. You should do the math, but renting DVC can come out cheaper even with a full price dining plan.

What are the DVC Villas Really Like?

First and foremost, you get to access to the entire resort like any other guest. The DVC Villa rooms are typically in a separate section of the resort, but you get to enjoy the pool, restaurants and other amenities just like anyone else (maybe more since you know you probably paid less for your stay!!). The DVC rooms can sleep anywhere from 4 to 12 people depending on the resort.

Special Amenities

All DVC rooms comes with a kitchenette, which is not standard in Deluxe rooms. You get a mini-refrigerator, sink, microwave, and dishes/silverware in even the studio rooms. As you move up the scale, some of the suites actually come with full-size kitchens and dining room tables that can seat 8 people. Along with the kitchenette, each room has a pack and play, safe, ironing board, hair dryer, and other standard features.

DVC Studio Villa Room – Grand Floridian

As an awesome example, take a look at the Villas at the Grand Floridian! A typical studio villa comes with queen size bed and a queen size sleeper-sofa. It even has a fold down bed to allow them to sleep up to 5 people. The Grand Floridian is an exceptional DVC resort too and even has it’s own DVC lobby.

]]>http://momentmom.com/MM/rent-dvc-points-and-stay-deluxe-for-moderate-prices/feed/13107Have a Supercalifragilistic Breakfast : 1900 Park Fare Breakfast Reviewhttp://momentmom.com/MM/1900-park-fare-breakfast-review/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=1900-park-fare-breakfast-review
http://momentmom.com/MM/1900-park-fare-breakfast-review/#commentsMon, 29 Oct 2018 01:57:10 +0000http://momentmom.com/MM/?p=3061Disclaimer: Some of the links and images below contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Where can you have...

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Where can you have a Very Merry Unbirthday and a Supercalifragilistic breakfast at the same time? At the 1900 Park Fare Breakfast in Disney’s Grand Floridian of course! Having enjoyed the amazing Cinderella’s Happily Ever After dinnerhere, doing a 1900 Park Fare breakfast review was a must!

1900 Park Fare Breakfast Characters

While the food and location are important, the characters are really why you book one of these meals. The 1900 Park Fare breakfast is officially called the Supercalifragilistic Breakfastgiving a nod to Mary Poppins, one of the amazing characters you will get to meet. In total, you’ll get to have fun and snap pictures with:

Mary Poppins

Alice in Wonderland

Mad Hatter

Tigger

Pooh

The characters at 1900 Park Fare make their way around the tables for photos, autographs, and general fun. When your meal is over, you do head to the back of the restaurant to snag your last character picture. During our trip, it as Tigger! This is a nice perk, because they have a Disney Photographer set up for pictures meaning your whole family can get in not the picture. Make sure you have Memory Maker if you want to download these pics for free!

1900 Park Fare Character Interaction Ideas

It’s always fun to have some questions to ask the characters when they visit your table. Here are some ideas to help get you started:

Mary Poppins

Practice saying “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and ask her if she can say it backwards.

Ask her how Bert is doing or if Albert is still on the ceiling.

Alice

Greet Alice with “How do you do?”

Ask Alice what her favorite color flowers are.

Alice loved to stick her tongue out with our kids and ask what mischief they have gotten into lately.

Mad Hatter

It’s always fun to tell him its your Unbirthday!

If you ask him for his autograph, he will sometimes drawn a car and a graph. You have to ask for his signature.

Pooh

Tell Pooh you have a rumbly in your tumble and ask if he could spare any honey.

Tigger

We like bouncing up to Tigger and even asking him for a bouncing lesson.

When you leave, you can say “TTFN – Ta-Ta-For-Now”

Dress to Match Your Favorite Characters

It’s also always fun to dress to impress and match your favorite character. They love seeing you dressed up like them. Here are some options if you want to try out your Disney Style when you visit the 1900 Park Fare Breakfast:

Review of Character Interactions at 1900 Park Fare

Overall, the characters spent a good amount of time at our table. Alice probably had the most interaction, posing for lots of picture and talking about all the mischief the kids had gotten into. I do recommend having some interaction questions planned for when they visit your table. They will pose for pictures and provide autographs which is really nice. The Disney photographer picture at the end is also a nice bonus above and beyond what you will get at another character meal, like Crystal Palace.

1900 Park Fare Menu and Price

This character meal is a buffet with options for just about anyone! You’ll find Mickey Waffles that are a staple at any Walt Disney World breakfast. There are also a variety of blintzes and mini pancakes for those who love sweets for breakfast.

One of the adult favorites for the buffet are the custom-made omelets. You can go up to the counter and load your omelet up with tons of varieties of veggies and meats. I didn’t see a lot of kids taking advantage, but the adult line for omelets was always healthy. They also have ham at the carving station that was a nice addition to a hearty breakfast.

The signature dish here for breakfast is the Strawberry Soup. Yes, you read that right! The 1900 Park Fare strawberry soup is a staple at the restaurant and a fun dish for the kids to try. You can find a full menu here if you’d like to see all of the options.

1900 Park Fare Disney Dining Plan

Whether breakfast or dinner, a meal at the Disney Grand Floridian 1900 Park Fare will cost 1 table service dining plan credit. Character meals are always an excellent use of your credits and are in fact one of the best ways to get the most value out of your Disney Dining Plan. For other tricks to squeeze the most out of your Dining Plan, you can check out my favorite hacks for the Disney dining plan.

If you choose to pay out of pocket, you can expect the meal to cost around $20 for a child and $32 for an adult (as of June 2018). The price is seasonal and you can expect it to swing up by around $4 per adult or $2 per child during busy seasons.

Review of 1900 Park Fare Breakfast Menu

Like the dinner, the buffet at 1900 Park Fare beats out other buffets. Specifically, I would place its quality above Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey’s. The omelet bar for the adults is what really sets this one apart. The children’s options are very similar to other buffets. The food isn’t quite as good as what you get at a menu-based breakfast (like the Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast)or the family-style restaurants like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. The single table service credit is also a good deal. Breakfasts always come with a lower price tag if you are paying out of pocket as well.

Supercalifragilistic Breakfast Location

You’ll find the 1900 Park Fare breakfast in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. If you have some time before or after your reservation, it’s an amazing resort to explore. I especially recommend visiting near Easter and looking at all of the amazing chocolate Easter Eggs throughout the lobby!

The restaurant is located on the main floor of the resort, to the left side of the lobby. There are several ways to get to the Grand Floridian without having to drive yourself:

Monorail – If you are staying at a Monorail Property, you can take it to the Grand Floridian. The monorail exits on the 2nd floor, so you will need to go down one floor to get to 1900 Park Fare.

Boat – There is a dedicated boat that runs from Magic Kingdom the Grand Floridian. You can take a bus to the Magic Kingdom from any other resort and then hop the boat (or monorail) to the Grand Floridian.

Review of 1900 Park Fare Breakfast Location

The location for this breakfast is absolutely perfect if you are visiting Magic Kingdom for the day. You are only one monorail stop away. This means you can have breakfast, then immediately hop the monorail and be at Magic Kingdom in less than 5 minutes! It’s also very convenient for a visit to Epcot as you can ride the monorail around to the Ticket and Travel Stations as well.

Touring the Grand Floridian also has a lot to offer. It is one of the most impressive Disney World resorts. If you want to know what it is like to stay here, you can check out the full Grand Floridian Villas Review.

1900 Park Fare Breakfast Review Summary

There are few reasons why this Character Meal would make an excellent addition to your next Walt Disney World Trip:

You have a major Alice or Mad Hatter fan. There are few options for meeting Alice, the Mad Hatter, or Mary Poppins around Walt Disney World. Most are either in Epcot or by chance. This gives you not only a guaranteed meeting but also saves time waiting in line.

The buffet is better than other Character Breakfast buffets.

The location is excellent if you are planning a day at the Magic Kingdom. It’s a great place to start you day and hop the monorail over to the park.

]]>http://momentmom.com/MM/1900-park-fare-breakfast-review/feed/13061Disney FastPass Secretshttp://momentmom.com/MM/disney-fastpass-secrets/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=disney-fastpass-secrets
http://momentmom.com/MM/disney-fastpass-secrets/#commentsMon, 22 Oct 2018 15:27:58 +0000http://momentmom.com/MM/?p=3030Disclaimer: Some of the links and images below contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Getting the most out...

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Getting the most out of your Disney World FastPass selections may seem like a mysterious art at first, but there are actually some solid rules and a few Disney fastpass secrets that can help you snag the very best times and rides for your next vacation.

Basics : What is a FastPass?

It goes by many names : fastpass, fastpass plus, fastpass+. All of these are code for a “reservation” for a ride at Walt Disney World. It allows you to go through a special line for a pre-selected attraction or ride. The big bonus is that it typically comes with a much shorter line (like shorter by HOURS in some cases). You make your fastpass+ reservation for a certain day and hour time frame (think 2-3pm). When you show up to the ride during that time frame, you can go through the shorter line. Understanding how fastpasses work is going be key to your strategy. You can also pick up an Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney Worldfor more in-depth planning expertise.

Disney FastPass Secret #1 : Schedule FastPasses Ahead of Time

Everyone with a ticket can schedule their fastpasses 30 days in advance of their stay at Disney. If you are staying on property, you get a big advantage. You can schedule your fastpasses 60 days ahead of the FIRST DAY of your stay. This means that if you are staying for 7 days, you might be scheduling some 67 days in advance.

Disney World Pro-Tip : You can snag the 60 day fastpass window AND save money.

There are two other ways you can snag the 60 day fastpass booking window without booking directly through Disney (i.e. for less money!):

Stay at a participating Disney Springs Hotel: Certain participating hotels in Disney Springs get the same benefits as an on-property hotel. The big benefit here is that they are much cheaper than a traditional Disney Resort. Double check that it is a participating hotel by reviewing Disney’s website.

Rent DVC Points – Disney Vacation Club owners will “rent” their points out when they can’t make a trip during the required time frame. You can snag a stay at a Deluxe Villa for 20-30% of the normal rate by renting points. It roughly brings a Deluxe Villa down to the price of a Moderate Resort.For some examples of what this might look like, you can check out the Grand Floridian Villas, Animal Kingdom Villas, or Polynesian Villas. If you decide to go this route, we have personally used David’s Vacation Club rental and can vouch for the excellent service and quality of the rooms. You can find out more about the whole process here.

You should always take advantage of scheduling your fastpasses early. Even at the 30 day mark, you might be able to get some really good passes. One thing that Disney is excellent at is adding new attractions. As some become more popular, others will have openings. For example, a fastpass for Toy Story Mania may have been impossible at the 30 day mark before. Now that Slinky Dog has taken over in popularity, you can snag Toy Story Mania much easier.

Disney FastPass Secret #2 : Look for Specific FastPass+ Times

Is it time?? Always check out those FastPass+ signs.

When you go schedule your FastPass+ selections, the default method is to look for “Morning, Afternoon, Evening.” You also have the option to search for specific times. A common problem is how to get your dining reservation and fastpasses to line up. You can schedule dining 180 days in advance, so your fastpasses often come after. Searching for specific times for your fastpass is often the best way to get times that align with your dining.

Example : Schedule FastPasses for a Specific Time

As an example, let’s pretend that we want to get a fastpass for Barnstormer (although the wait is usually low, this is a toddler FAVORITE). If I let it search by “morning:, I see there are not times available at 10am. When I switch to a specific time (10:30), I get several options at 10am. It makes sense too. You would offer the LEAST crowded fastpass times first to try to spread the love around. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a time out there for you a little later or earlier Now, when the fastpasses become scarce, this secret isn’t as helpful.

Disney FastPass Secret #3 : Schedule Backwards if Staying On-Site

If you are staying on-property at Disney World, you get that extra benefit of scheduling 60 days from the FIRST day of your reservation. This means you have a bigger chance of snagging those hard-to-get fastpasses later in your trip. Since everyone with trips before you might overlap into the first part of your trip, you want to start scheduling backwards. For this Disney World fastpass secret, pick your last day and schedule it first, going for those rare fastpasses (Flight of Passage, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Slinky Dog and the newest rides). I have had a 7 day stay and literally was only able to book Slinky Dog coaster on the last day. If I’d started booking on my first day, I might have been too late!.

Don’t forget to get your free MagicBands if you are staying on-site too. If you want to dress them up though, make sure to check out ShopDisney for all kinds of awesome accessories!

Disney FastPass+ Secret #4 : Stretch your FastPass+ with Rider Swap

Rider Swap is a feature that Disney offers to adults that have smaller children in their party that don’t qualify for certain ride height attractions. The gist is that you (adult #1) and your “of height” child (#1) schedule a fastpass for Ride #1. When you go up to the FastPass line, you let them know that adult #2 has to stay back with child #2. They will give you a free fastpass for adult #2 to ride with child #1 after you finish the ride. This means your kiddo gets to ride the twice, once with each parent. Check out our Rider Swap for Rock N’ Roller Coaster:

Example : Disney FastPass Tricks with Rider Swap

When you are booking rides, therefore, you only need to book one fastpass for adult #1 and one for child #1. Adult #2 will get to go “for free” as part of child swap. This means you can also book a different fastpass for adult #2 and child #2. A typical scenario for us has been to book a fastpass for me and my daughter to meet the princesses at the same time that my husband and son ride Seven Dwarves Mine Train. My daughter gets big hugs from Rapunzel and Tiana while the boys ride. When we are done, I can use the rider swap to enjoy Seven Dwarves Mine train with my son too. The result is:

FastPass Secret : Rider Swap

Without Rider Swap

With Rider Swap

Adult 1

FastPass - Seven Dwarves

FastPass Seven Dwarves

Child 1

FastPass - Seven Dwarves

FastPass - Seven Dwarves

Adult 2

FastPass - Seven Dwarves
FastPass - Fairytale Hall

FastPass - Fairytale Hall

Child 2

FastPass - Fairytale Hall

FastPass - Fairytale Hall

Summary

Adult #2 uses 2 fastpasses, meaning they only have 1 left

Everyone only used 1 fastpass, meaning they have 2 left

It isn’t only good for one adult either. Disney World currently allows you to take 3 adults back through with you. They will scan the bands of the adults and the child who will be riding the second time. They will also try to time it to coincide with the time that the first adult and child will get finished with the ride. During out last trip, this meant the rider swap was good for about an hour after our initial ride.

Disney FastPass+ Secret #5 : Move Up Your FastPasses

When you originally book your fastpasses, you can’t have overlapping times. For example, if your FastPass+ for Seven Dwarves is from 9-10am. You can’t schedule another fastpass until 10am. Once you are in the Park and using your FastPasses, that changes. As soon as you use your fastpass (I.E. you scan your band on the ride), you can move your next fastpass into the same time zone. This works because you technically “don’t have” two fastpasses at the same time. You’ve already used one and it has left your account. This means your 11-12p Space Mountain could become a 9:05-10:05a. This strategy can help you condense your fastpasses and leads directly into FastPass secret #6!

Disney World Pro-Tip : Keep your phone charged!

This secret requires you to have a fully charged phone at the parks, because you are going to be using the MyDisneyExperience app to make these changes. The app is known for draining batteries (it’s running you location constantly), so I highly recommend bringing an external battery pack with you. You may read a lot about the Fuel Rods, because they have free charging stations in the park. There is a reason….they don’t hold a charge and they die quickly. They also get super hot in our experience. I highly recommend that you instead spend a few bucks on a good charger. You can use it for more than just Disney. The one we recommend is the Anker Power Core 1300. It has 2 USB charger ports and can charge an iPhone up to 4 times on a single charge of itself. It’s worth the price.

Disney FastPass Secret #6 : You can schedule more than 3 per day!

I know we said you can only schedule 3 per day, but the truth is you can only PRE-schedule 3 per day. Once your fastpasses are exhausted, you can schedule 1 fastpass at a time for the rest of the day. Technically, you can have unlimited fastpasses! I have seen someone use as many as 20 fastpasses in a day! They might not be for the most popular rides, but they certainly help you spend far less time waiting in line and a lot more time riding!

The same rules also apply as moving up your fastpasses. As soon as you scan your band, you can begin scheduling your next fastpass. I’ve had some scheduled before I even get on the first ride!

Disney FastPass Secret #7 : Break Large Groups Up

If you are riding with larger groups (think 5 people +), then you might have better luck breaking yourselves up into smaller groups and getting overlapping times. Again, you will want to search by exact time (our #1 secret) to have the best chance of finding the overlapping times. It’s much easier to snag a 4 person Flight of Passage from 10-11am and a 3 person from 10:15-11:15a than it is a 7 person from 10-11a.

Disney FastPass Secret #8 : Schedule During the Busiest Times

Scheduling a fastpass as soon as the park opens is a wasted fastpass. If you expect to be at the park when it opens, it’s a much better use of your time to try a “rope drop” the ride than it is to use a fastpass. If you head straight there as soon as the park opens, you will have a small/moderate wait and can use that fastpass during peak hours. For most parks, they are busiest from 10a-4p. This is the time zone that you should target your fastpasses. If you are using secret #5, you can breeze through your first 3 fastpasses and be ready to schedule more soon!

Disney FastPass Secret #9 : Use Your FastPasses Quickly

Use those fastpasses quickly so you can book another high tier ride. All parks except Magic Kingdom break their rides up into Disney fastpass tiers, meaning you can only select one ride from a certain tier. For example, Hollywood Studios places all the Toy Story Land attractions in the top tier so you can only have a FastPass for one each day. That is, until you exhaust all 3 fastpasses and then you can schedule another one! You can’t do this by cancelling a fastpass though. You actually have to use all 3 before you can schedule another from the same tier. This means you want to use them up as quickly as possible.

Disney FastPass Secrets Summary

Fastpasses are a big part of your Disney vacation planning, and putting these Disney fastpass tips to work can help you save tons of time waiting in lines! For a recap, these are the top 9 Disney World fastpass secrets:

Schedule your FastPass+ selections as soon as you can.

Search for your fastpasses by specific times instead of just by “morning, afternoon, or evening.”

Schedule your last day in the parks first to take advantage of advanced booking.

Take advantage of Rider Swap to saving some fastpasses.

Reschedule your fastpasses earlier as soon as you use the first one.

Be sure to schedule a new fastpass as soon as you use your first 3 up completely.

If you have a large group, search for them in smaller groups to better your chances.

Use fastpasses for the busiest times of the day.

Use your fastpasses as quickly as possible so you can schedule additional tier 1 rides.

]]>http://momentmom.com/MM/disney-fastpass-secrets/feed/13030Best Disney Moderate Resortshttp://momentmom.com/MM/best-disney-moderate-resorts/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-disney-moderate-resorts
http://momentmom.com/MM/best-disney-moderate-resorts/#commentsSun, 14 Oct 2018 18:20:01 +0000http://momentmom.com/MM/?p=2953Disclaimer: Some of the links and images below contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. You know you want...

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You know you want more luxury than a Value Resort but aren’t ready to jump to the price tag of a Disney Deluxe Resort. The amazing news is that the Walt Disney World Moderate Resorts truly are the best of both worlds. They allow you to keep your budget under control, but offer great amenities and theming (not to mention Queen Size beds!). If you are looking for the Disney Moderate Resorts ranked, you have come to the right place! We will figure out the best Disney moderate resort for you in no-time!

Best Moderate Disney Resort

If you just want to know the answer, Port Orleans Riverside takes our top spot. It scores the highest marks for location with solid marks for theme, transportation, and room options. Read further for all of the criteria used and to explore the specialities of each of the Disney Moderate Resorts!

What are the Walt Disney Moderate Resorts?

Walt Disney World breaks its hotels into 4 categories : Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villas. The big differences between the categories are price, amenities, and distance to the parks. For the most part, the closer you get to Deluxe, the more luxurious your stay. The Moderate Resorts are able to provide the more affordable price and snag some of the Deluxe-style amenities as well.

The Moderate Resorts range in price from $172 / night up to $637 / night for the larger cabins or over $1000 for the Executive Suites. Each is also conveniently located to at least one of the parks, but largely depend on bus transportation. The Deluxe resorts usually provide other forms of transportation, like Monorail, boats, or are within walking distance. The Moderate Resorts also come with mostly queen size bed options, compared to the typically double beds of many of their Value Resort companions.

Criteria for Ranking Disney Moderate Resorts

In order to choose the best moderate Disney resort, several criteria were considered:

Best Disney Moderate Resorts Comparison

Category

Criteria

Location

Proximity to Parks or Disney Springs

Rooms

Room Options, Number of Guests, Quality

Theming

How Well the Resort Represents a Unique Theme

Dining

Options, Number, and Quality

Amenities

Pools, Activities

Transportation

Options, Transit Time to Parks

Price

Price Range

Best Location for Disney Moderate Resorts

Location is king in the world of Disney, and it is what the larger price tag of a Deluxe resort buys you. If you want to walk to Magic Kingdom, you are going to pay. Some Moderate Resorts, however, still come with fairly convenient locations despite being in a lower tier.

Caribbean Beach Location

Disney’s Caribbean Beach is officially an Epcot Resort and is about equidistant between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It is also fairly convenient to Disney Springs, but it is the furthest Moderate Resort from Magic Kingdom.

Coronado Springs Location

Coronado Springs is the closest resort, aside from Animal Kingdom Lodge, to Animal Kingdom which is a great bonus for anyone who loves this Park. It is located in close proximity to Hollywoods Studios. Epcot, Disney Springs, and Magic Kingdom are a fair distance away.

Port Orleans – Riverside and French Quarter Location

Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter are located right next to each other. They are closest to Epcot, but also convenient to Disney Springs. They are located north of both Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs which puts them in 2nd place for location to Magic Kingdom.

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Location

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness are the furthest north of the Moderate Resorts with the closest proximity to Magic Kingdom. If you have toddlers or just Love Magic Kingdom and expect to spend time there, then this is by far your best bet. It is furtherest away from all other parks and Disney Springs.

Overall Best Disney Moderate Resort for Location

For location, Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter take the top spots. Being located closer to Magic Kingdom, with a quick ride to both Epcot and Disney Springs put these resorts as the winners.

Best Rooms in a Disney Moderate Resort

The Moderate Resorts have a lot of variety when it comes to room options. Some have themed Pirate or Princess Rooms while others are entire cabins with full kitchens included. The Moderate Resorts can sleep anywhere from 4 to 8 people.

Caribbean Beach Rooms

Disney’s Caribbean Beach has 4 room options, including aPirates of the Caribbean-themed roomcomplete with pirate ships for beds. They can accommodate between 4 and 5 guests making it an option for larger families. They are all standard, studio style rooms.

Two Queen Beds

Two Queens Beds and One Child-Size pull-down

King Bed

Two Double beds shaped like Pirate Ships

The Pirate Rooms make an awesome surprise for a visit to Disney World. You an stock up on fun pirates-themed gear like a Jack Sparrow costume!

Coronado Springs Rooms

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has the most room options of any of the Moderate Resorts. It also houses a convention center which leads to the various room options. The studio rooms sleep 4 guests, which the suites can sleep from 4 to 8 adults:

Standard Studios:

2 Queen Beds

1 King Bed

Suites:

Junior and King Suites – One King Bed with One Queen Sleeper Sofa

Junior and Casitas – 2 Queen Beds with One Queen Sleeper Sofa

Executive – One King Bed, 2 Queen Beds, and One Queen Sleeper Sofa

The standard Coronado Springs resorts come with two queen beds.

Port Orleans – Riverside Rooms

Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside features four room configurations. Similar to the Caribbean Beach rooms, they are all a standard studio set-up. Port Orleans Riverside features the Royal Guest Rooms, a special princess-themed room. Princess Tiana welcomes you to her home as a royal guest and you sleep in comfort with photos of Princesses adorning the walls. The themed rooms at Port Orleans – Riverside have Queen-Sized beds instead of the double beds found at Caribbean Beach. The rooms can sleep between 4 and 5 guests:

Two Queen Beds

Two Queens Beds and One Child-Size pull-down

King Bed

Two Queen beds complete with LED fireworks in the headboard!

You can load up on some fun Tiana inspiration to help your little one really enjoy their Royal Guest Room experience:

Port Orleans – French Quarter Rooms

Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter only has 2 possible room configurations and also only supports 4 guests. The rooms are all standard studios:

1 King Bed

2 Queen Beds

A nice upgrade in these rooms is the laminate floors. It makes it feel super clean and updated.

Love the laminate floors and the cool colors at French Quarter

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness only come in one configuration, but it is the most spacious of all of the Moderate Options. The cabin comes with a separate bedroom, featuring a queen size bed and set of bunk beds. The living room has a queen size sleeper sofa. The kitchen contains a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, 2 counter-top burners, and a convection microwave. The Cabins sleep up to 6 adults.

One of the big perks of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness is being able to cook your own meals. Did you know that Amazon Pantry will even deliver for you? You order and just pick it up and *poof* you have a fully stocked kitchen for your stay!

Overall Best Disney Moderate Resort for Rooms

This one goes to Port Orleans Riverside for a few reasons : The standard room can come with a fold-down bed to sleep 5 total guests and they offer a special themed room fit for a Princess!

Best Themed Disney Moderate Resort

There are two schools of thought towards your room accommodations at Disney. One assumes you never spend time in your room so who cares what it looks like. The other looks at your room like a part of the experience, immersing you in the magic even when you sleep. I’m solidly in the second camp!

Caribbean Beach Theming

Caribbean Beach tries to capture the feel of five different Caribbean islands. Overall, it is hard to transmit the theme throughout each at such a large scale. The bright colors of the buildings bring some touches of the Caribbean while the pool actually feels a little out of place. The Spanish citadel might actually belong better to Coronado Springs. It does fit in with the Pirates of the Caribbean rooms, however.

Coronado Springs Theming

Coronado Springs theme is probably best felt at its pool as a Mayan Pyramid emerges from the surrounding jungle scape. The resort is a Spanish colonial inspiration, with fountains and white stucco in the main building. Coronado Springs does a good job of integrating its food options into the theme as well. With several restaurants, they served up delicious Mexican food from quick service to table service.

Port Orleans – Riverside Theming

Port Orleans Riverside actually has two separate themes in the same resort:

Magnolia, Oak Terrace and Parterre Place that bring images of sprawling Lourisana estates.

Alligator Bayou with a more rustic theme and feel

These themes are perfectly paired with Tiana’s Royal Guest Rooms as you think back to the mansions and the bayou in the Princess and the Frog. The common areas of the resort take on a boathouse feel, with a giant waterwheel in front of the dining locations. Catch a horse-drawn carriage ride around the resort to really help set in the Louisiana theme.

Port Orleans – French Quarter Theming

Port Orleans French Quarter is themed after the French Quarter of New Orleans. The streets in between the hotel buildings have old-fashioned gas lamps and cobblestone streets which add to the feel of New Orleans. Similar to Port Orleans Riverside, you might see horse drawn carriages making their way around the resort. The pool continues the Mardi-Gras theme, but the giant sea serpent water slide feels a little out of place.

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Theming

Fort Wilderness include the Cabins and also campsites. The theming is geared towards a rustic, camping experience. The 740 acres of land that comprise the resort add to this feel with lots of wooded areas. Also adding to the theme are the golf carts to zoom around the large resort and the general store. While other resorts might transport you to a different place or time, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness actually feel like you are doing a totally different type of vacation. The emphasis on camping and the outdoors really comes through in this resort.

Overall Best Disney Moderate Resort for Theme

This category goes to Port Orleans – French Quarter. It sticks with its decidedly New Orleans theme, from the beignets to the cobblestone streets. The horse drawn carriages and gas lamps lighting the path really make you feel like you have stepped into New Orleans. Port Orleans Riverside, Coronado Springs, and the Cabins all get middle scores while Caribbean Beach comes in at the end.

Best Dining Experience for a Moderate Resort

When you have had a long day at the Parks, you want to come back to a delicious, leisurely meal at your resort. The number of options is often less at Moderate Resorts compared to Deluxe, but some boast a table service option. For this category, dining options are ranked based on the types (quick service versus table service), quality, and number of options.

Caribbean Beach Dining

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has recently undergone renovations for their dining options and have luckily added a table service option, Sebastian’s Bistro. Centertown market resembles a street fair type atmosphere with different quick service options. There are Caribbean-inspired dishes at both dining locations as well as place to pick up quick snacks.

Coronado Springs Dining

Coronado Springs has more dining options than any other Moderate Resort, largely thanks to its status as a convention center. It is also undergoing refurbishment to add an additional high-rise hotel that will add to the need for several dining options. The current options are:

Quick Service

El Mercado de Coronado

Siestas Cantina (at the pool)

Table Service

Las Ventanas

Maya Grill

Rix Sports Bar and Grill

Cafe Rix

The quality of the quick service at Coronado Springs was the best we have found in the Moderate category. Specifically, the burrito bowls were amazing and actually led us to come back multiple nights.

Port Orleans – Riverside Dining

Port Orleans Riverside has both table service and quick service options as well. The Quick Service Riverside Mill Food Court is similar to other Moderate resorts with several different stations (burgers, salads, etc). The food here is a decent quality, but nothing too special. The table service, Boatwright’s Dining Hall, serves traditional New Orlean’s style fare. A downside here is that it is only open for dinner, so you can’t enjoy a table service lunch at the resort.

Port Orleans – French Quarter Dining

You will only be able to find Quick Service offerings at Port Orleans – French Quarter. Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory serves a variety of quick service meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When you upgrade to a moderate, a table service meal is a nice addition and it is a little disappointing that you can’t find one at Port Orleans – French Quarter.

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Dining

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness has several eclectic dining options, keeping with its camping theme:

Trail’s End Restaurant – You can enjoy a table service meal at Trail’s End for breakfast, brunch or dinner. It has really good quality food, and it was a good spend of a Table Service credit.

PJ’s Southern Take-Out – You also have the option of getting your meal to-go from PJ’s Southern Take-out. You pick it up right next to Trail’s End. It’s a great option to be able to take a meal back to your cabin.

The Chuck Wagon – This meal on wheels serves up items in a quick service fashion like burger, hot dogs, and smores kits.

Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue – This meal comes with a show! You can enjoy a two hour dinner family-style. It’s one of the best dinner shows on property.

Enjoy dinner with a show at the Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness. Photo from Leigh Caldwell via Flickr

Overall Best Disney Moderate Resort for Dining

This category goes to Coronado Springs. The shear number of options and the quality put Coronado Springs on top. The addition of a dinner show and take-out options bring the Cabins at Fort Wilderness into second place. Port Orleans – French Quarter comes up in last place due to its lack of a table service option.

Best Disney Moderate Resorts for Amenities

Upgrading from a Value to Moderate resort brings a new level of amenities. You earn a water slide in the pool, which is a huge deal for our kids! The Moderate Resorts also have tons of fun recreational activities. Rather than list all of the amenities, this comparison focuses on items that are unique to each resort.

Caribbean Beach Resort Amenities

Caribbean Beach has amenities and recreation towards its pirate theme.

Pools – Due to the size of the Resort, Caribbean Beach actually sports 6 pools! The main pool has a Spanish Colonial theme with TWO waterslides, child’s water play area, and water cannons to soak fellow pool-goers.

Pirate Adventure Cruise – Although it is an extra cost ($39-49 per child), this is a pretty fun offering. Children ages 4-12 can take a cruise around the Ports in the Caribbean Beach. They hear legends of pirates and find a treasure at the end.

Coronado Springs Resort Amenities

The jewel of Coronado Springs Resort amenities is the Dig Site. It’s an island located in the center of the resort and sports several options:

Lost City of Cibola Pool – This pool has the longest waterslide of all Moderate resorts at 123 feet long. It also has the largest jacuzzi of any Disney Resort. Coronado Springs is missing a water play area for kids where the other Moderates all have one.

Mayan Themed Pool at Coronado Springs Resort

This pool can literally support an entire day of fun! Disney even provides life jackets for the little ones who want to go down the waterslide over and over again. Don’t forget to stock up on the sunscreen and pool essentials before your trip. These are our tried and true favorites:

Port Orleans – Riverside and French Quarter Amenities

These two resorts share so many of their amenities that it is hard to separate them.

Pools – Port Orleans Riverside boasts 5 leisure pools and one main pool on Ol’ Man Isle complete with a water slide. French Quarter adds one more pool with water slide, although it is a very small one at only 51 feet. It also has a kid play area.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

Surrey Bike Rentals – Take a spin around the resorts on a surrey bike that can hold your family of 4.

The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Amenities

Bring on the recreation! The Cabins at Fort Wilderness have tons of options when you are looking for things to do:

Pools – The Cabins have 2 separate pools. The Meadow Swimming’ Pool sports a kids’ water play area as well as a slide.

Archery

Tri-Circle-D Ranch – Pony, Carriage, and Wagon Rides

Chip N’ Dales’s Camp Fire Sing Along – It’s awesome (and rare!) to have a character experience at your resort. You can enjoy marshmallows around the campfire with Chip and Dale!

Overall Best Disney Moderate Resort for Amenities

This one is a super tough category to score. Coronado Springs definitely has the best pool, but Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans Riverside both boast more than 5 pools each!. For shear volume of recreational activities and for having its own Character Experience with Chip and Dale, this category goes to the Cabins at Fort Wilderness!

Best Disney Moderate Resort – Transportation

How you get to the Parks from your resort is almost as important as your room itself! The Moderate Resorts will not be able to take advantage of the Monorail since only Deluxe resorts are on the monorail loop. They also aren’t within walking distance of any of the parks. They do, however, use a combination of Busesand Boats to reach the four parks at Walt Disney World.

Modes of Transportation for Moderate Resorts

How do you get from Point A to Point B from the Moderate Resorts? It differs for each resort and park:

Resort

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom

Disney Springs

Caribbean Beach

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Coronado Springs

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Port Orleans - Riverside

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Boat

Port Orleans - French Quarter

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Boat

Cabins at Fort Wilderness

Boat / Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Bus

Having extra options, like a boat, are a real bonus. The boat from the Cabins at Fort Wilderness actually takes you directly to Magic Kingdom, but stops at Wilderness Lodge first on the ride back. The boats to Disney Springs from the Port Orleans resorts are also a nice touch.

The boat to Disney Springs is a huge advantage to staying at Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter

Time for Transportation for Moderate Resorts

A big consideration with buses is whether or not you have to share and how many stops they make inside the resorts. This has a huge impact on your actual transit time.

Disney Moderate Resort Transit Times

Resort

# of Stops Inside Resort

Shared?

Magic Kingdom

Epcot

Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom

Disney Springs

Caribbean Beach

6

No

35

15

10

30

15

Coronado Springs

4

No

35

25

10

20

20

Port Orleans - Riverside

4

Yes, French Quarter

15

15

20

25

20

Port Orleans - French Quarter

1

Yes, Riverside

15

15

20

25

20

Cabins at Fort Wilderness

1*

Yes, Wilderness Lodge

15

15

20

25

15

* – The Cabins at Fort Wilderness only have 1 bus stop, but you have to take a separate bus or golf cart to get to the station. In total, there are 12 bus stops inside the entire resort.

Of note is that Caribbean Beach will soon be on the Skyliner system! This new form of transportation will run it directly to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. This might be a game changer in the transpiration category in 2019!

Overall Best Resort for Transportation

Port Orleans French Quarter easily takes the category for best transportation. It occasionally shares a bus with Riverside, but only has one bus stop and makes it to all parks in less than 30 minutes. The addition of a boat option to Disney Springs also means this resort offers a variety of different transportation options.

The Most Affordable Moderate Resort

Sometimes this is what it comes down to. With all of these options, you are ultimately trying to balance cost and quality of a resort. The Disney Moderate Resorts do an amazing job of providing excellent Disney service and theme while helping to keep the cost of the room lower. Regardless of resort category, you can expect to spend more during peak times and for larger rooms. For a fair comparison, we picked a standard room with 2 queen beds during the weekend in March for our Disney Moderate Resort Prices:

Disney Moderate Resort Prices

Resort

Price Per Night

Max Occupancy

Price Per Person

Caribbean Beach

$237

4

$59.25

Coronado Springs

$252

4

$63.00

Port Orleans - Riverside

$274

4

$68.50

Port Orleans - French Quarter

$274

4

$68.50

Cabins at Fort Wilderness

$458

6

$76.33

Even adjusted for price per person based on occupancy, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness are substantially more expense. They do have full kitchens, however, so you might be able to save on dining during your stay. Caribbean Beach is the most affordable with Coronado coming in next. Both Port Orleans resorts demand the same price.

Overall Best Resort for Price

Caribbean Beach carries this category with the smallest price tag per person in the Moderate Category. Although they can hold more people, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness are the most expensive per person.

The Best Moderate Resort at Disney World

Drum roll please!! When you take all of the categories into account the results come out like this:

Category

Caribbean Beach

Coronado Springs

Port Orleans - Riverside

Port Orleans - French Quarter

Cabins at Fort Wilderness

Location

4

3

5

5

2

Rooms

3

2

4

2

4

Theming

2

3

4

5

4

Dining

3

5

3

2

4

Amenities

3

4

3

3

5

Transportation

2

2

4

5

3

Price

5

4

3

3

2

Total

22

23

26

25

24

Overall Rank

5

4

1

2

3

Congratulations to Port Orleans Riverside!

The Port Orleans Resorts take the top spots when you consider all of the different categories. That said, you can take each category and weigh it based on what matters most to you. If Dining is at the top of your list you might want to consider Coronodo Springs Resort. Similarly, if you want to spend a lot of time at your resort trying different activities, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness might be the resort for you.

While we took time to evaluate all of the different aspects of the Disney Moderate Resorts, you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Having stayed at all of them except French Quarter (which is on our list!), we haven’t been disappointed with a single stay overall.

Good luck planning your next trip and let us know in the comments which resort you would choose!

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]]>http://momentmom.com/MM/best-disney-moderate-resorts/feed/32953Best Disney Gifts for Momhttp://momentmom.com/MM/best-disney-gifts-for-mom/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-disney-gifts-for-mom
http://momentmom.com/MM/best-disney-gifts-for-mom/#respondSun, 30 Sep 2018 19:24:20 +0000http://momentmom.com/MM/?p=2929Disclaimer: Some of the links and images below contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. One of the best...

]]>Disclaimer: Some of the links and images below contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

One of the best things about Disney is that it has something for everyone! Every Disney mom is different, from their favorite characters to their favorite rides and the best Disney gifts for them are the same! Whether it is Disney jewelry, handbags and accessories, or Disney Art, this list of the best Disney gifts for adults covers everyone.

Sparkle Like a Diamond

If it’s all about sparkles, there are some great options across all budgets. You can dress up a MagicBand with somepavé Magic Banditsfor under $20. Two brands that I personally recommend for quality Disney jewelry for adults arePandoraandAlex and Ani. I own several pieces of both, and they stand the test of time.

Bracelets : You can get a variety of different bands including silver, gold, or leather.

Charms : They have a full line of Disney Princess Charms, Minnie/Mickey, and other favorite characters.

If bracelets aren’t your thing, you can also get earrings, lockets and rings although the selection is not as great. I’ve had a Minnie Bow Pandora ring for years, and it is one of my absolute favorites.

Disney Princess are again well represented, but Alex and Ani also sport a good assortment of Start Wars themed bracelets.

Bangles come with quotes, enameled pictures and pressed metal.

All of these make wonderful gifts for a Disney Mom, and you can find a lot of them on Amazon. These are some of the best options:

Disney Up Your Home

Unfortunately, we can’t live at Disney World. You can bring Disney World home though! One of the best brands for quality Disney home goods is Ethan Allen.They came out with not only Disney home items for kids, but also pieces that can fit in easily for Disney loving adults too.Le Cruesuthas some fun Disney kitchen products meant to bring your love of Disney to your love of cooking!

A few fun ideas for your Disney home Wishlist are:

Dress like Disney

I’m not sure what it is about Disney fans, but we literally love carrying our favorite characters on our sleeves. From head to toe, these picks are perfect for a Disney Mom. Relax in some princess pajamas or show your spirit with a Disney Parks Spirit Jersey.Tomsalso make some amazing Disney shoes for adults!

If you like some of the more underrated Disney films (think Atlantis, Emporer’s New Groove, Treasure Island) that don’t have tons of “official Disney” merchandise, you can get a lot of high quality Disney fan art at Teepublic. You can check out theMoment Mom Storefor some awesome shirts and accessories (mugs, phone cases, laptop bags, etc.).

Accessorize Your Disney Side

Sometimes it’s all about the right accessories. Disney Moms have a lot going on and the perfect bag can make a big difference. TheMoment Makers fanny pack/waist bagis the perfect accessory for your next Disney trip or even just a fun weekend (it comes in pink or you can “rock the dots!”). It’s not always easy to find a Disney fanny pack for adults, and this bag took care of several Disney trips for me.

Danielle Nicoleis another solid brand known for the fun and funky purses. Danielle Nicole carries a really wide range of characters, including a large contingency of villain bags. They make great options for Disney bags for adults. I’ve kind of in-love with this Lucifer Backpack!

The ultimate accessory has to be theDooney and Bourke Disney bags. I’ve carried a Dooney and Bourke Disney bag for over 7 years and it still looks the same as the day I bought it. It’s the ultimate luxury present for mom. We also know mom is usually in charge of the planning, so the mickey phone ring can be a cute addition.

Love my Dooney and Bourke Crossbody for the parks!

Best Disney Gifts for Villains Fans

Some of us love the princesses and some love the villains! I totally recommend dinner with the villains for your next Walt Disney World trip, so I have to recommend some awesome gifts to take with you! A brand new game in 2018, Disney Villainous, actually lets you wonder your realm as your favorite Disney Villian ensuring the evil triumphs! It is a great game to play with your villain-loving friends. You can get way more info on it this review. If board games aren’t your thing, you can always accessorize for your favorite Disney Villain as well!

It’s Time for a Disney Park Trip

If you are planning a trip and want to get something useful for your next Disney gift, think luggage and themed travel bags. A luggage tag to find your bag quickly or a great backpack for the parks are all good choices. I also love the Disney Weekend bag for short trips. If you want to know the best bags for the parks, you can also find that here : The Best Bag for Disney World and What To Pack In It!

Swap Your Bow

The Disney Swap Your Bow gets an entire category to itself. It’s a genius idea : Buy a single headband and customize/swap out the bows so you can have a completely different set of Minnie Ears each time. If you are looking for a fun present that the entire family can contribute to, consider a swap your bow set. Everyone can pick their favorite character and load you up with great Disney options. It would make a great disney gift basket idea for adults.

Disney Collectibles and Keepsakes

Some of my best memories with my family involve a trip to a Disney Park or a special movie we love to enjoy together. Another great gift idea for Disney loving fans are keepsakes or collectibles. I’ll always remember getting our first haircut atHarmony Barbershop, and you can even get Dumbo to keep baby’s first tooth safe. Hallmark also makes great collectibles, and I’ve had the Sleeping Beauty featured here from several Mother’s Days ago. Bradford Exchange is also a big name in Disney Collectibles. Their Disney Christmas Tree is pretty epic!

Loving Disney Art

A piece of Disney art can also make a great Disney gift for adults.Thomas Kinkadeis one of the most famous Disney artists, and you can find many products with his amazing works including puzzles. His smaller canvases are also fairly reasonably priced.

Summary

Disney gifts are just like Disney movies. They come in all shapes and sizes, all budgets, and are as specific to the person as their favorite character. You can’t go wrong though, with checking out these great options:

]]>http://momentmom.com/MM/best-disney-gifts-for-mom/feed/02929Private Chichen Itza Tour: Exploring Mayan Ruins with Kidshttp://momentmom.com/MM/private-chichen-itza-tour-exploring-mayan-ruins-with-kids/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=private-chichen-itza-tour-exploring-mayan-ruins-with-kids
http://momentmom.com/MM/private-chichen-itza-tour-exploring-mayan-ruins-with-kids/#commentsFri, 14 Sep 2018 03:08:48 +0000http://momentmom.com/MM/?p=2787Disclaimer: Some of the links and images below contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Collect Moments, Not Things...

]]>Disclaimer: Some of the links and images below contain affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Collect Moments, Not Things is a motto that inspires our travel. If you are the same, your travel bucket list with your kids is likely to include the Seven Wonders of the World. An easy drive from popular resorts in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Chichen Itza makes the perfect first stop!

Choosing a Private Chichen Itza Tour

Traveling through Peru with a private guide opened our eyes to the experiences you can have when you aren’t part of a large tour group. The freedom to design your own trip can’t be underestimated. Having a local guide also creates opportunities for your family to learn about local culture and understand more than just what is in the tourist guides. If you have inquisitive young ones, a private tour is also ideal. It helps promote curiosity as your children have a chance to ask questions and learn about the world at their own pace.

Picking a Private Tour Company in Mexico

You should consider several things when choosing a private tour company. Starting with TripAdvisor is always a solid bet. You can read reviews, both good and bad. You will want to look for both quantity of reviews as well as the quality.

For the best trip, look for the following:

Private Tour – Read the fine print. Some tour companies call a “private tour” a bus full of your closest 30 friends. You will want to check and make sure it says you will have transportation and a dedicated guide for your party only.

Local Guides – Local guides are best suited to help you learn about the local culture and appreciate their history.

Ability to Customize – A private tour should be customizable. The tour company will likely have several example tours, but you should be able to add-on or make changes.

Not the cheapest rates – A real private tour will not be the cheapest price you can find. Think about what it would take to rent a car for a day and for a day’s salary to drive your family, provide a lunch, and all of the tickets to visit the ruins. As a rule of thumb, I would expect to pay around $600-700 for a full day tour for 4 people. The price per person should also go down as you add on more people.

Our Recommendation for a Mayan Ruins Tour – Living Dreams Mexico

After much research, we chose Living Dreams Mexico for our private tour of Chichen Itza. Using many of the criteria above, Living Dreams was the clear stand-out. Unique to other tour companies, it also promises a living wage to all of its tour operators meaning they can focus on providing the highest quality tours without have to maintain second or third jobs. They also allowed for customization of the tour to include:

Chichen Itza Guided Tour

Trip to a Cenote and Lunch

Guided Tour of Coba Ruins

Living Dreams picks you up at your resort, allowing you to set your own pickup time. You are provided with a private van, snacks, dedicated tour guide/driver, and all of the necessary tickets for each of your destinations.

Touring Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza, particularly the Pyramid of Kukulkan, became one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. It contains several different temples, pyramids, ball courts and other archeological sites. Also called El Castillo, the Pyramid of Kukulkan is the most famous and sits directly in front of the Museum entrance. If you’ve already completed Chichen Itza, make sure to check out the Great Wall of China with Kids too.

El Castillo : Pyramid of Kukulkan

Our tour guide, Jose, pointed out many of the features, including the feathered sergeant that appears on the stairs during the equinox. Jose even helped with our photos, showing us how to get some great perspective shots with the kids!

Make sure to grab this shot if you visit Chichen Itza!

Other Structures of Chichen Itza

If you are a shutter bug like me, then a local, private tour also affords you the ability to snap as many photos as you would like and get recommendations for the best shots. Jose guided us to the better areas, and we never felt rushed.

Chichen Itza has so many different areas, and having Jose with us to answer questions allowed the kids to really interact and become invested in the history. He was able to explain things in a way they can understand and create an opportunity for them to question and learn.

A normal tour would have ushered us on at it’s own timetable. A private tour allowed us to explore at our own page, even stopping to take pictures of the iguanas!

Crafts and Souvenirs

You also have the opportunity to explore local crafts throughout Chichen Itza. In order to sell inside the park, the vendors have to follow very strict guidelines so while they will try to lure you to their stand, they won’t be overly aggressive in their sales pitch. This is another place that having a local guide was helpful as they can help steer you to the bette quality souvenirs if you would like. We actually didn’t buy anything there but did admire the carvings and work put into creating some of the souvenirs.

What to Take With You to Chichen Itza

Prepare for the heat :

Sunscreen : It is extremely hot, especially if you are visiting during the summer. There is very little shade, so sunscreen is a must. My favorite sunscreen for the kids is from Babyganics. It’s mineral oil based, so it won’t burn little eyes if it runs into them.

Stay hydrated : This is another huge perk of a private tour with Living Dreams. They provide plenty of water as well as frozen towels when you get back in the car to cool down!

Light-weight Clothes : We actually work our bathing suits under our cloths (or as our clothes in the case of the boys!). We knew we were going to visit a cenote later and it helped us stay cooler. Other good options are dri-fit shirts. My favorite brand is Nike. They have been my go-to since my time touring Peru.

Carry a small bag:

Small bag to carry your phone, sunscreen, water bottle, and tickets. We were a big fan of our fanny pack / waist bag. It was the perfect size, and the kids even wanted to carry it. Our favorite one is the Moment Makers waist bag. Our red/white polka dot doubles as a favorite when we visit Walt Disney World as well.

Bring a Camera:

If you choose to bring a GoPro as well, be prepared to pay an extra fee.

We did bring our DSLR camera as well as our phones.

Cenotes Riviera Maya

One of the amazing, unique experiences you can have in the Yucatan for kids is a swim in a cenote! These water-filled sink holes are created when the ceiling collapses on an underground limestone cave. They were significant to the Maya as passages to the underworld. For this reason, our guide told us that you won’t see locals swimming in the cenotes no matter how hot it might be.

Lunch at the Cenote

Our tour included lunch and a swim in the cenote. The lunch buffet had a lot of variety and included several local dishes. Our kids learned about local drinks, including hibiscus water, tamarind water and horchata. We also enjoyed taking some pictures with Mayan warriors and the building itself had lovely architecture and courtyards.

You can also strike a post with some Mayan warriors!

Swimming in a Cenote

After lunch, we headed to the cenote! You should be prepared to take a quick shower to remove all of your sunscreen (hence bringing extra with you!). Lifejackets were also required for everyone, regardless of swimming ability. This particular cenote had a diving platform and waterfall to enjoy. The Yucatan gets extremely hot and Chichen Itza has very few options for shade. A dip in a cenote before tackling your next adventure is a great idea!

Our first view of the cenote.

Coba Ruins Tour

Our experience at Coba was a complete surprise. I added it to the itinerary, because my daughter wanted to “climb a pyramid.” I did not anticipate how much we would love it, and I actually recommend it above Chichen Itza for total experience for kids.

When Chichen Itza became a UNESCO World Heritage site, the climbing ended. Coba’s Nohuch Mul structures, including Ixmoja, is actually the tallest in pre-Hispanic structure in the Yucatan. It stands at 138 feet, compared to 79 feet high for Chichen Itza (99 feet if you count the temple on top). What made this experience even more special, however, was the way you get to the Coba ruins. Located about 2 km into the Mayan jungle, you either rent bicycles to ride into the jungle or choose a bike taxi for a chauffeur ($2-4). With two small children, we chose the bike taxi, and it was one of the highlights of the trip.

Riding to the Coba Ruins

The bike ride is largely shaded, which is also a nice relief from the glaring sun of Chichen Itza. The bike taxi drivers had a fun time racing each other with our kids egging them on. When you arrive at Nohuch Mul, it is amazing to see the structures rising out of the jungle. My daughter had such an amazing time with our guide that she insisted on riding back in a bike taxi with Jose, leaving us in the dust!

Climbing Ixmoja

Ixmoja is the biggest draw at the Coba Ruins. It is part of the Nohoch Mul structures, and the reason we also picked to visit. My daughter wanted to “climb a pyramid” and few The stairs to climb were very steep and slippery, being worn by the many visitors. You should be very cautious if you choose to make this climb. Everyone in our party, including our 5 year old daughter, was able to make it up but you should take time and care.

Another amazing perk to having a private tour guide was the extra help climbing the pyramid. Jose and my daughter plowed ahead of all of us on the climb up and down. Seeing her “climb her pyramid” was one of my major “mom moments”.

View from the Top of Ixmoja, Nohoch Mul

From the top of the the largest pyramid at Coba, you get an amazing view of the jungle surrounding these Mayan ruins. You can see other structures rising from the jungle. It truly is an amazing sight!

Panorama from top of Coba

Coming Down Ixmoja, Nochoch Mul

Coming down the pyramid was much more treacherous than the climb up. Against the stone have been worn very smooth from the many climbers. I definitely recommend “scooting” down. I literally sat down and moved one step at a time.

Be careful on the way down Nohoch Mul!

La Iglesia at Coba

Like many of the other Mayan sites, Coba includes several different structures. We also enjoyed visiting La Iglesia. Even though you can’t climb it, it was still very impressive.

Local Yucatan Culture

A private tour brings you experiences that you just can’t get with a large group. On our way to Chichen Itza, my son and Jose discussed all of the animals you can find in Mexico after seeing the animal crossing bridges on the highway. We also stopped on the way back at a local fruit stand and enjoyed fresh dragon fruit and mango.

Stopped at a local fruit stand to enjoy some dragon fruit!

Summary

A local, private tour is the perfect way to explore Mayan ruins with kids. A traditional tour doesn’t allow them to ask questions until they understand, can be rushed, and doesn’t allow you to customize specifically for your family. To get the most out of your private Chichen Itza tour, follow these tips:

Selecting a Tour Company

Find a local tour company if possible. Local guides will know so much more about the area and can create some special moments, like a visit to a local fruit market.

I recommend Living Dreams Mexico as their tours are private for your family alone, they pay their guides a living wage, and customer service is the top priority.

Touring Chichen Itza

With your private tour, enjoy touring Chichen Itza at your own pace.

Prepare for the heat, carry a small bag, and don’t forget your camera to capture this Wonder of the World.

Add some extras to your tour:

Coba – I highly recommend adding the Coba Ruins on to your tour. If you are staying in Playa del Carmen, you can drive out to Chichen Itza and then hit Coba on the way back to the hotel. Coba is an amazing experience as is the ride through the jungle.